The American premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Comic Potential will be the first Manhattan Theatre Club offering on its Stage I at City Center, beginning Oct. 24.

John Tillinger directs the dark comedy set in the future, when actors have been replaced by "actoids" and a screenwriter finds himself drawn to an "almost human" leading lady.

Janie Dee repeats her London performance, which earned her the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress.

The MTC staging officially opens Nov. 16 and is presented in association with Michael Codron productions. Kellie Overbey (Betty's Summer Vacation) is also in the cast. Additional casting has not been announced.

Ayckbourn is known for his varied seriocomic work, including Woman in Mind, Absurd Person Singular, A Little Family Business, Absent Minds, How the Other Half Loves and Communicating Doors. For MTC season informatiom, call (212) 399-3030, for single tickets, call (212) 581-1212.

-- By Kenneth Jones