He's the most produced playwright in the history of French theatre, but his latest play is about Germany. It's Israel Horovitz, and his drama, Lebensraum, opens at the Miranda Theatre on West 30th St., Oct. 15.

Director Richard McElvain has worked with Horovitz on many plays at the dramatist's home base, Gloucester Stage in Massachusetts, where Lebensraum premiered. Starring in Lebensraum are Scott Richards, Emme Shaw and Jeremy Silver -- who play 40-plus characters.

The show's intriguing premise has the German Chancellor awaking from a nightmare and calling a press conference to invite six million Jews to return to Germany. "Haunting memories clash with a family's dream of a better life" as younger and older generations clash over the offer. Translated from German, Lebensraum means "living space" or more idiomatically, "elbow room." Adolph Hitler used the term to justify Germany's expansion into Eastern Europe.

Horovitz's last Broadway visit was with Park Your Car In Harvard Yard, but he's also known for the plays Rats, The Primary English Class, Indian Wants The Bronx and Today I Am A Fountain Pen. His one-act, Line, has been running in repertory at the 13th Street Theatre for more than 24 years.

Designing Lebensraum at the Miranda are Lisa Pegnato (sets), Jane Stein (costumes) and Scott Poitrus (lighting). For tickets ($12) and information on Lebensraum, which began previews Oct. 9 and runs to Oct. 26 call (212) 268-9829.

--By David Lefkowitz