The limited engagement of Bruce Graham's death-row drama, Coyote on a Fence, begins previews March 26 at the Blue Heron Arts Center. Coyote opens officially March 29 and runs through April 22.

Director Lou Jacob helms this new play about prisoners on death row, where a political activist encounters a white-power racist. Much of the action surrounds the activist, who agitates for more intellectual fare on the prison media menu while publishing a newspaper from his cell called "The Death Row Advocate."

Playwright Graham is the author of Belmont Avenue Social Club and Minor Demons, which was first produced by Urban Stages and subsequently moved to the Century Theater. Graham's film credits include "Dunston Checks In" and the upcoming Abbie Hoffman biopic "Steal This Movie."

The cast for Coyote on a Fence comprises Tom Stechschulte (Inherit the Wind and Voices in the Dark), Paul Sparks ("Law & Order"), Pam Hart ("Pi") and David Letwin (Much Ado About Nothing).

The production team includes lighting designer Jeff Nellis, sound designer Marc Gwinn and costume designer Ilona Somogyi. As of March 22, production sources reported that the first preview performance of Coyote on March 26 has been changed to a 3 PM matinee followed by the 8 PM evening show that was already planned. Accordingly, an additional performance originally planned for March 27 at 8 PM was canceled. There will, however, be a new additional performance on April 18 at 8 PM.

Tickets are $15.00 for all seats. The Blue Heron Arts Center is located at 123 East 24th Street in Manhattan. For tickets call the box office at (212) 755-0541. For information visit www.mint.net/urbanstages.

-- By Murdoch McBride