In the first production outside New York, Indiana Repertory Theatre will present Peter Whelan's The Herbal Bed Feb. 10-Mar. 6 in Indianapolis.

Risa Brainin directs the drama based on a true event in the life of Susanna Hall, the daughter of William Shakespeare. Susanna, married to Dr. John Hall, was accused by his apprentice of carrying on an adulterous affair with Rafe Smith, a haberdasher. The case progresses to court where the participants must decide to lie or tell the truth about what happened in the Halls' herb garden.

A 1997 hit for the Royal Shakespeare Company in London, The Herbal Bed ran only 13 performances and 21 previews at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Broadway, closing Apr. 26, 1998. Laila Robins, Tuck Milligan, Herb Foster and Simon Jones starred.

Featured in the IRT cast are Angela Reed (Susanna Hall), Michael Janes (Rafe Smith), Jonathan Gillard Daly (John Hall), Christina Apathy (Hester Fletcher), Ryan Artzberger (Jack Lane), James Edmondson (Bishop Parry), Paul Carlin (Barnabus Goche), and Rebecca Mansur and Kristin Wafford as Elizabeth Hall.

The production staff includes Russel Metheny (set designer), Rob Koharchik (assistant set designer), Kim Krumm Sorenson (costume designer), Michael Klaers (lighting designer), Joeal Markus (stage manager) and Andre Gaskin (musician-arranger). Tickets ($33.50-$17.50) are available by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 West Washington Street.

--By Christine Ehren