Basketball and Hodgkins disease are the unusual cornerstones of performance artist and playwright Deb Margolin's latest work, Three Seconds in the Key, which will run at NYC's P.S. 122, Feb. 1-15.

For her new play, Margolin draws on her real-life struggle with Hodgkins disease and her ardent fascination with the New York Knicks. In the drama, which is directed by Lee Gundersheimer, Margolin stars as a woman who, with her son, attempts to relieve the strain of her ailment by focusing on the thrilling world of professional basketball.

Margolin is best known as an antic, comic solo artist, but has been writing multi-character plays for some years now. Among her past efforts are Critical Mass and Bringing the Fishermen Home. Three Seconds was workshopped at New York University, where Margolin's artistic residency included playing with the NYU women's basketball team.

Also appearing in Three Seconds are E.L. Gibson and Bennett Kirschner.

Tickets are $15. P.S. 122 is located at 150 First Avenue. For more information, call (212) 477-5288. —By Robert Simonson