Nowadays the theatre is lit by lightning -- or at least the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre is. The troupe is beginning its 30th anniversary season with Carmen Rivera's To Catch The Lightning, an absurdist comedy/drama about a man who can't tell dreams from reality. The show opens tonight, May 22.

Directed by Max Ferra, the piece will offer performances in both English and Spanish and run at the Lamb's Theatre on West 44th St. (Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre's usual home, on 47th St., is booked up with the Off Broadway hit, Men On The Verge Of A His-Panic Breakdown).

Rivera's previous plays include La Gringa, which won an OBIE Award last season and is currently in repertory at Repertorio Espanol; The Next Stop, The Power Of Words, Julia and Betty's Garage.

Starring in Lightning will be Doris Difarecio, Johnny Sanchez, Marilyn Seri and Chaz Mena. The designers are Vern Santvoord (set), Philip Widner (lighting), Mirena Rada (costumes) and Johnna Doty (sound).

Presented with the 1996 Governor's Art Award from the NYS Council On The Arts, the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre has presented 88 plays since its founding in 1967. For tickets ($20) and information on To Catch The Lightning, which began previews May 14 and runs to June 22, call (212) 354-1293.

--By David Lefkowitz