Mario Cantone is one of three friends facing life changes over the Christmas holidays in the New York premiere of The Crumple Zone, a new comedy by Buddy Thomas, beginning Off-Broadway previews June 23. Producer Marcus Kettles presents the new work by Miami native Thomas at Rattlestick Theatre (formerly Theatre Off Park), officially opening June 28.

The play, which follows five very different men as they confront questions of love and fidelity over a holiday weekend, was previously staged in Pensacola, FL, and had an Equity showcase run Jan. 22-26, 2000, in New York City. Performances continue to Aug. 13.

The title is the term used to describe the section of a car designed to compress during an accident to absorb the energy of an impact. Roommates Terry, Alex and Matt experience turbulence when Matt returns from a national tour of Salem's Lot, the Musical, to find boyfriend Alex has been cheating on him.

In addition to comic actor Cantone (Love! Valour! Compassion!), who plays Terry, the cast includes Joshua Biton (Alex), Gerald Downey, Steve Mateo and Paul Pecorino (Matt). Jason Moore, an associate director of Les Miserables, helms the production, which has choreography by Peter Kapetan and fight direction by BH Barry.

Designers are Dawn Robyn Petrlik (set), David Mills (costume), Ed McCarthy (lighting) and Laura Brown (sound).

Tickets are $35. Rattlestick Theatre is at 224 Waverly Place (off Seventh Avenue between 11th and Perry) in Greenwich Village. For information, call (212) 206-1515 or try www.smarttix.com.

-- By Kenneth Jones