What really happened in Chernobyl? Two Soviet scientists try to find out in Buffy Sedlachek's drama, Under Yelena, opening Mar. 18 at Philadelphia's InterAct Theatre Company. Previews start Mar. 17 for this world premiere, which runs through Apr. 12.

In Yelena not only do a poetic biologist of Cossack blood and a no nonsense physicist -- and Communist -- team up despite the danger to their lives. Tim Moyer and Lisbeth Bartlett star in this two-hander.

InterAct artistic director Seth Rozin stages Under Yelena, which he calls "a lyrical fable about two real-life contemporary heroes." Author Sedlachek is a Minneapolis native and developed the script through the Minneapolis-Philadelphia Theatre Exchange, sponsored by the Pew Charitable Trusts. Under Yelena was further developed at Madison Rep (WI) and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Designing Yelena are real-life couple Andrei Efremoff & Larisa Ratnikoff (set & costumes) and Peter Jakubowski (lighting).

For tickets ($18) and information on Under Yelena at the Adrienne space, 2030 Sansom St., call (215) 568-8077. -- By David Lefkowitz