As winter nears, plays, movies and TV shows dealing with the ominous undertones of Y2K are proliferating. Count among them David Dannenfelser's When Words Fail..., a new drama about pop culture and technology, opening Oct. 10 at the John Houseman Studio Theatre Off Off-Broadway.

Directed by Kevin Kittle, the play debuted at this summer's New York International Fringe Festival. Described as "a lyrical fantasy exploring love, art, perception, technology, and pop culture," the play tells of two simple people reaching out to each other, despite the manipulation of trends and technology around them.

Previews begin Oct. 7 for this Eponymous Theatre production, which features Marco Jo Clate, Jackie Kamm, Danielle Liccardo, Christy Marie Moore, Michael Puzzo, Rhett Rossi, Mala Santouri, and Mike Sears. Designing the show are Jim Hultquist (lighting) and Virginia Gifford (costumes).

Author Dannenfelser, founding artistic director of The Random Purpose Theatre Company, has also penned the one-act evening In Five Boroughs and Sid Berkeley Radio Slave. Director Kittle staged The House of Yes at the Currican Theatre and The Woolgatherer at the Flatiron Theatre.

For tickets ($12) and information on When Words Fail... call (212) 358-3430. The Eponymous Theatre will also be holding a "benefit bash" at the Baby Jupiter club on Orchard Street, Sept. 26. Tickets for the 8 PM party are $10 at the door. -- By David Lefkowitz