We're hitting the dog days of summer, and one Off-Broadway show is taking that literally. Beginning (and opening) tonight, July 9, at the Theatre Row Theatre, is the New Professional Theatre production of 2 Divas & The Dog, a comedy by Kira Arne. Directed by L. Kenneth Richardson, who co-founded NJ's Crossroads Theatre, Divas opens July 9 for a run through July 20. Arne also stars in the hip-hop comedy, which pits two African-American women -- one a Black nationalist, the other an East Village feminist -- against a mutual friend who claims she's the daughter of God. Co-starring are Victoria G. Platt (Jelly's Last Jam) and Collette Wilson.

Designing the show are Rona Taylor (set), Richard Hoyas (lighting), Johnetta Hamilton (costumes). Azziza [sic] choreographs.

2 Divas & The Dog was the winner of the 1994 New Professional Theatre Writer's Festival and becomes the company's first production. Founded in 1989, NPT "nurtures African-American women playwrights with new and innovative voices." The play was also done as part of New York Theatre Workshop's "Just Add Water Festival."

Arne's other plays include Aunt Jemima Ain't No Matriarch, behind Door #3 and Constant Craving. She's also a rapper for the group, "Gemini & The Zodiac Killers and a member of the Playwrights Horizons African-American Writers Unit.

Director Richardson's other credits include The Colored Museum (NYSF) and founding the "Blacksmyths" playwriting program at L.A.'s Mark Taper Forum.

For tickets ($12) and information on 2 Divas & The Dog at 42nd Street's Theatre Row Theatre call (212) 290-8150.

--By David Lefkowitz