If Al Pacino is still looking for Richard III in February, he'll find Austin Pendleton doing the role in Shakespeare's drama of a same title at Off-Broadway's New Perspectives Theatre Company, Feb. 12-March 8.

Carol Kastendieck directs the tragedy, which, ironically, opens on Valentine's Day.

This staging will be presented entirely from Richard's perspective and thus examine "the nature of evil, and how Richard's development in an abusive family environment shapes his self-image."

Austin Pendleton's extensive theatre credits include his NY debut in Oh Dad, Poor Dad... and Broadway appearances in Fiddler On The Roof, Doubles and Grand Hotel. Recently, Pendleton has concentrated on playwriting with the works Booth and Uncle Bob, both produced Off-Broadway. He was also, briefly, the new artistic director of the now-defunct Circle Repertory Theatre.

Appearing with Pendleton will be Ken Leung (Buckingham), Melody Brooks (Elizabeth), India Cooper (Margaret), Joseph Rodriguez, Karin Amano, Al Choy, Ron Domingo, Mark Ehrlich, Albert Michael Goudy, Dawn Greenidge, Sarah Kate, James Kohli, Milton Loayza, Marion Pearce, Richard Omar, Karen B. Samuelson and Anthony Zelig. A longtime collaborator with John Houseman, director Kastendieck co directed his Otello at the Dallas Opera, as well as Broadway productions of The Country Girl and John Brown's Body

. A multi-racial ensemble, New Perspectives has staged such works as Admissions (Pendleton directed Tony Velella's play) and The Increased Difficulty Of Concentration by Vaclav Havel.

For tickets ($10-$12) and information on Richard III, which plays at the New Perspectives space at 750 8th Ave., call (212) 730-2030.

--By David Lefkowitz