Author and activist Gloria Steinem ventures Off Broadway into Closet Land June 18. The play's final performance will feature a talk-back discussion of the drama, led by the landmark feminist.

Set in an unnamed country, Closet Land tells of a children's book author, seeking to help children survive abuse through fantasy, who is kidnapped and tortured by her government for writing secret political messages and corrupting young minds.

Steinem will discuss issues of artistic freedom, specifically as they relate to women of color. There will be a reception with refreshments following.

A co-founder of New York magazine in 1968, Steinem became a major feminist leader in the 1960s, co-founding MS Magazine in 1971. Both of her books, "Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions" (1983) and "Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem" (1992) were best sellers.

Radha Bharadwaj's Closet Land became a feature film in 1991 with Madeleine Stowe as the writer and Alan Rickman as the government agent. In 1998, Bharadwaj adapted and directed "Basil" starring Christian Slater, Jared Leto and Derek Jacobi. Jeremy B. Cohen (Chicago's Naked Eye Theatre Company) directs Rana Kazkaz as the author and Allyn Burrows as the government agent.

Designing Closet Land are Ted Fevre (sets) and Jaymi Lee Smith (lighting).

Tickets are $30. New York Performance Works is located at 128 Chambers Street. For reservations, call (212) 532-8887.

-- By Christine Ehren