CHICAGO -- In an effort to nurture new plays, Steppenwolf Theatre Company is devoting its 100-seat upstairs studio space to premiering works as part of its New Plays Lab (as well as showcasing Chicago companies like Lookingglass Theatre, which recently produced Arabian Nights).

The next world premiere, which began previews Jan. 21 and debuts Jan. 24, is Goodbye Stranger, Carrie Luft's story about Glad, a young survivor in a big city who moves through apartments, bars and streets -- and finds the familiar ridiculous and the strange almost normal.

Says director Polly Noonan, "Glad's journey is painful, embarrassing and funny as she asks: How do I get through the day? How much can I help someone I love?"

Other works by Luft include Crooked House and the short play collection, Cool Guys Don't Go Out With Smart Girls.

Featured in the staging are Paul Adelstein, Marilyn Dodds Frank, Greta Oglesby, Jill Kraft, Denise Odom, Pat Healy and Dale Day Rivera. Designing the show are Dan Ostling (set), Christine Solger-Binder (lightin ece Pytel (costumes) and David Earle (sound). Michele Volansky serves as dramaturg. For tickets and information on Goodbye Stranger at the Steppenwolf Studio, 1650 North Halsted St., through Feb. 15, call (312) 335-1650.

-- By Lawrence Bommer
Chicago Correspondent and David Lefkowitz