Urban sophisticates are confronted by a charismatic young man obsessed with the New Testament, in the world premiere of Normal Allen's In the Garden, opening March 26 at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA.

Signature resident playwright Allen "brings together an array of sexual conventions, high fashion, Nietzsche and Christ to take audiences on a theatrical rollercoaster ride through issues both spiritual and temporal," according to production notes.

Previews began March 13. Performances continue to April 29. On March 19, Signature was nominated for 19 Helen Hayes Awards, representing work from the 2000 calendar year. The troupe earned the most noms of any DC-area company for that year. Awards are announced May 7.

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Playwright Allen penned the Signature world premieres of Melville Slept Here and Nijinsky's Last Dance. He has been nominated for the Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play. Nijinsky's Last Dance (1998) won the Helen Hayes Award for Best Play. Daniel De Raey directs a company that includes Steven Eskay, Rachel Gardner, Michael Kramer, Amy McWilliams and Jerry Richardson. Designers are James Kronzer (set), Nancy Schertler (lighting), Anita Miller (costume) and Brian Keating (sound).

Tickets are $25-$28. Signature is at 3806 S. For Mile Run Drive, Arlington, VA. For information, call (800) 955-5566 or (703) 218-6500, or visit the website at www.sig online.org.

— By Kenneth Jones