The Eclipse Theatre of Chicago, which has dedicated its 1999 season to the work of Tennessee Williams, is readying its upcoming production of the playwright's Eccentricities of a Nightingale. Steve Scott will direct the show, which will run July 31 to Sept. 5.

Eccentricities tells the story of the star-crossed relationship between the straight-laced Alma Winemiller and the roguish John Buchanan -- a tale more often produced under the title Summer and Smoke.

Eclipse recently completed its staging of Confessional, an earlier draft of a play better known as Small Craft Warnings. The troupe will complete its season with Suddenly Last Summer, running Nov. 6-Dec. 12, directed by Thom Cox.

Like the Signature Theatre Company of New York City, Eclipse focuses on the work of one playwright per season. Unlike Signature, however, those playwrights are often deceased. Last year, for instance, Eclipse dwelled on the work of Jean Cocteau.

For information, call (773) 862-7415. --By Robert Simonson