When an attorney interviews a woman arrested for a brutal assault, circumstances get uglier and uglier -- even though she vehemently denies the charges. That's the set-up for Those Left Behind, a new play by Ben Bettenbender, beginning previews tonight, July 7, at Theatre 3 on West 43rd St. in Manhattan. The Off-Off-Broadway show opens July 15 with a run scheduled through Aug 1. Judy Minor directs the drama for the Directors Company, now in its 15th year. Those Left Behind is special for the company, which has until now concentrated on developing a stock company of actors (such as Nick Corley and Tony Phelan). Now the company is trying to develop "a companion group of emerging playwrights, such as Peter Ullian (of Eliot Ness In Cleveland) and Joshua James. Bettenbender's earlier play, Scaring The Fish, was done as a reading for the not-for-profit troupe. Other programs by the Directors Company include the Harold Prince Musical Theatre Program (whence came Ullian).

Starring in Behind are Rob Sedgwick (Kyra's brother), who has worked with Riverside Shakespeare and at Ensemble Studio Theatre; and Janis Dardaris, who appeared in Breaking Legs at the Promenade Theatre, and in the Off-Broadway solo at Westbeth, Orgasmo Adulto Escapes From The Zoo. She also appeared in Eduardo de Fillipo's Saturday, Sunday, Monday at CT's Long Wharf Theatre in 1994.

Designing Those Left Behind are Mark Nayden (set), Bebe Samash (costumes) and Russell H. Champa (lighting).

For tickets ($12) to Those Left Behind call (212) 246-5877.

--By David Lefkowitz