Jeffrey Solomon will direct his play De Novo, which launches the festival April 28-May 15. Photojournalist Donna DeCesare will provide images for the play that centers on the true story of 16-year-old Edgar Chocoy, who pleaded with a U.S. court not to deport him to Guatemala.

Alan Brody's The Housewives of Manheim, directed by SuzAnne Barabas, will run May 6-June 6. The 1944-set work tells of Brooklyn community of women awaiting the return of their husbands from WWII when a woman fleeing the Holocaust arrives and upsets their world.

From May 21-June 13 the festival will host Jack's Precious Moment, by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Kip Fagan. A family attempts to put their lives back together after a video of insurgents beheading their loved one is released on the Internet.

Joe Brancato will stage Charles Smith's Freed, running June 11-July 3. The award-winning play recounts the story of ex-slave John Newton Templeton, who, 40 years before the abolishment of slavery, was the first African-American to attend college in the Midwest.

Closing the festival will be Ayn Rand's Ideal, June 17-July 3. Jenny Beth Snyder will direct the play about a famous actress accused of murder and the fans who worship her. For tickets phone (212) 279-4200 or visit TicketCentral.

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