The Atlantic Theater Company presents the world premiere production of Kia Corthron’s Force Continuum, with previews beginning Jan. 17, 2001. The opening for the show will be Feb. 8.

Atlantic’s second production of the season will be helmed by Michael John Garces. Casting will also be announced shortly.

Atlantic commissioned this “explosive and evocative play about three generations of African-American police officers.” As reported earlier, the story involves an African-American family, in which the grandfather, the parents and the son are cops. Force Continuum develops around a police brutality case involving the son, a rookie on the force. It was, at one time scheduled to start previews Dec. 13 and open on Jan. 4, 2001.

Playwright Kia Corthron's credits include Seeking the Genesis, Splash Hatch on the E Going Down, Life by Asphyxiation, Wake Up Lou Riser, Come Down Burning, Cage Rhythm, Digging Eleven, Catnap Allegiance and the radio play Suckling Chimera.

Diurector Michael John Garces has directed the New York premiere of As Five Years Pass by Federico Garcia Lorca, Forever In My Heart by Oscar Colon and The Next Stop by Carmen Rivera (INTAR Mainstage); Goodbye, My Friduchita by Dolores Sendler which moved for an extended run as The Passion of Frida Kahlo at the ArcLight Theatre; and A Bicycle Country by Nilo Cruz and Praying with the Enemy by Luis Santeiro at The Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, Florida. His solo performance piece, agua ardiente, ran at The American Place Theatre as part of Dreaming in Cuban. Force Continuum’s creative team comprises set designer Alexander Dodge and lighting designer Kirk Bookman.

Tickets $35-$40. The Atlantic Theater Company is located at 336 W. 20 St., between Eighth and Ninth Avenue. For single tickets call Tele-charge at (212) 239-6200. For membership information, wheelchair seating, and/or group sales call (212) 645-1242.

—By Murdoch McBride