You don't have to go all the way to Illinois to see middle-America in Peoria, just head over to Washington DC's Woolly Mammoth Theatre to catch Jon Klein's satirical comedy. The show opened Apr. 14 and finishes its scheduled run tonight, May 12.

Rick is fed up with his job as a chicken inspector; Jane has just been laid off as the tour guide of Peoria's only water tower. What's a small-town family to do?

Directed by Rick Fiori, Peoria stars Michael Russotto and Rena Cherry Brown. Designing the show are Holly Beck (set), Linda Evans (lighting) and Edu Bernadino (costumes).

Klein's previous works include T Bone and Weasel, Octopus and Betty The Yetti. Woolly Mammoth artistic director Howard Shalwitz says of the dramatist, "Jon Klein is one of America's most talented playwrights, and Peoria represents the most daring and original side of his work."

Director Shalwitz founded Woolly Mammoth 18 years ago and has also worked at such venues as Seattle's ACT (The Big Slam) and Milwaukee Rep (Desdemona). Dinosaur first came to fruition via Woolly Mammoth's ForePlay play development series. Starring in the world premiere of Man, Woman, Dinosaur are Rebecca Rice, Kevin Jiggets, Vincent Brown, Caroline Clay and 11-year-old Daniel Lee Robertson III.

Man, Woman, Dinosaur is by Regina Porter,the African-American author of Tripping Through The Car House.

For tickets ($15-$28) and information on Peoria, at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre on Church Street NW, call (202) 393-3939.

-- By David Lefkowitz