Last Chance to catch American Repertory Theatre's presents the first Loeb Stage production of its 20th season -- Paul Schmidt's adaptation and translation of Racine's Phaedra, directed by Liz Diamond (America Play ), Nov. 27-Jan. 14.

In Phaedra, one of the quintessential plays of French neoclassical drama, Racine retells the tragic story of the queen of Athens who falls in love with her stepson, Hippolytus.

The cast includes Randy Danson, Benjamin Evett, Caroline Hall, Karen MacDonald, Stephen Rowe, Kelly Mizell, Emily Vale and Jonathan Epstein.

Obie-winning director, Diamond is a resident director of Yale Repertory Theatre, where she's staged such classics as The Cure at Troy, The Skin of Our Teeth, Mrs. Warren's Profession and School for Wives. Diamond is also considered the main interpreter of the plays of Suzan Lori Parks, directing the original productions of The America Play, and Imperceptible Mutabilities of the Third Kingdom.

Phaedra runs at Nov. 27-Jan 14, in rep with Andrei Serban's production of Merchant of Venice (which runs to Jan. 24). For tickets ($23 - $55) or more information, call (617) 547-8300. Up next at A.R.T., Don DeLillo Valparaiso starts performances Jan. 29 and opens Feb. 3, 1999.

-- By Sean McGrath