Billing itself as "the city's gateway to contemporary American drama," PTC will present Nickel and Dimed, the play about minimum-wage lives in America, based on the nonfiction book of the same name, and (if rights are granted) Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?

Philadelphia writer Bruce Graham's According to Goldman plays March 19-April 25, 2004. "In an attempt to get back into the movie business, a screenwriter-turned-professor finds himself in an unorthodox collaboration with a student, while his wife struggles to define their evolving relationship," according to production notes. "[The play] pits the lure of fame and celebrity against domestic tranquility."

The PTC season begins with the darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity, Topdog/Underdog, by Suzan-Lori Parks, winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize, Oct. 10-Nov. 16.

Next is the Philadelphia premiere of Nickel and Dimed by Joan Holden, adapted from Barbara Ehrenreich's book "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America" Jan. 23-Feb. 22, 2004, in a co-production with Delaware Theatre Company.

The season ends with the Philadelphia premiere of Edward Albee's boy-meets-goat play, The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?, winner of the 2002 Tony Award for Best Play (and a 2003 Pulitzer finalist), May 21-June 20, 2004. For information, call (215) 985-1400 ext. 100 or visit www.phillytheatreco.com.

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PTC's producing artistic director is Sara Garonzik. Last year, PTC staged the world premiere of Daniel Stern's Barbra's Wedding, currently enjoying a run Off Broadway. All PTC mainstage productions are performed at 1714 Delancey Street.

PTC's next new play is Jeffrey Hatcher's A Picasso, May 23-June 29, ending the current season.