Richard Foreman fans didn't have to wait long between his last New York production and his next. Pearls For Pigs ended its limited run Jan. 4 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, and Benita Canova (Sex, Violence and Metaphysics) is in previews at Foreman's usual home, the Ontological-Hysteric Theatre at St. Marks Church. The show officially opens Jan. 15.

Inspired by the work of 20th century painter Balthus, whose work is full of "nubile young women in ambiguous, erotically-charged situations," Canova follows a beautiful young woman who falls in with a band of fierce schoolgirls. Though Benita seems innocent, she's actually able to influence the other girls to behave outrageously. Foreman defines the show's subtitle -- "Sex, Violence & Metaphysics" -- as "gnostic eroticism."

Joanna P. Adler stars as Benita, alongside Christina Campanella, Susan Tierney and David Greenspan (The Boys In The Band, The Home Show Pieces).

Writer-director Foreman is the recent recipient of an Edwin Booth Award, given by City University of NY's Doctoral Theatre Studients. Previous winners included La MaMa's Ellen Stewart, Joseph Papp and Wooster Group.

Recent Foreman plays include Permanent Brain Damage (Risk It! Risk It!), The Universe,I've Got the Shakes, and My Head Was A Sledgehammer. Foreman has won seven Obies, a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship and the NEA's Lifetime Achievement Award. For tickets ($10-$15) and information on Benita Canova at the Ontological-Hysteric Theatre, 131 10th St., call (212) 533-4650.

-- By Sean McGrath and David Lefkowitz