Chris Van Strander's new, 2-character play, Daniel Pelican, will open Nov. 6 aboard the Frying Pan, a boat docked at (Chelsea) Pier 63 in New York City.

Daniel Pelican stars playwright Chris Van Strander as a '20s American man whose story is based on that of Donald Crowhurst, the real life British businessman who entered the London Sunday Times "Around the World" boat race in 1968 in an effort to revitalize his image.

Crowhurst misled the racing committee and doomed himself by giving fake coordinates of his location. He ultimately went mad and ended his life by jumping overboard. Some consider his story one of the great hoaxes of the century.

Directed by Tor Ekeland, Daniel Pelican starts performances Nov. 4 and opens Nov. 6. Performances take place on a boat, the Frying Pan, which is docked at (Chelsea Piers) Pier 63, located at 23 Street and 12th Avenue in NYC.

Van Strander described his reasons for setting his play in the 1920s in a prepared statement. "Press interest in heroic and sordid tales was at its height [then]," Van Strander said. "With the radio boom, millions of Americans were glued nightly to their radio sets. An air of adventure, recklessness, and ambition prevailed. What a perfect atmosphere to produce this man and this story."

Chris Van Strander began his professional career in television acting on "Kate and Allie," and appeared on Broadway in 1993 in the revival of Camelot starring Robert Goulet. Also starring in the two-character play as Daniel's wife will be Natalie Burgess.

Daniel Pelican will begin previews Nov. 4 for a Nov. 6 opening plays through Nov. 20. Performances are Thur. - Sat. at 8 PM. Tickets are $12, drinks are available for purchase. For information and reservations, please call (718) 388-7834 or visit www.brettsinger.com.

-- By Murdoch McBride