The American premiere of Richard Nelson's drama, Goodnight Children Everywhere, begins previews May 7, toward a May 26 opening, at Playwrights Horizons in New York City.

The 1997 work, seen this year the Royal Shakespeare Company's Barbican Centre space, is about reconstructing the idea of family after war: After the death of their parents, a 17-year-old brother and three sisters separated by World War II are reunited in 1945 London.

Nelson will direct his own work, about a fragile family dealing with the awakening adulthood and sexuality. The British found the work provocative for its incest-related plot.

American playwright Nelson has often seen his work produced in England first. Anglo-American relations is a favorite subject of his plays. Past plots have features a group of American academics touring England (Some Americans Aboard); expatriate Brits living -- miserably -- in America (New England); and the famous rivalry between English tragedian William Macready and American actor Edwin Forrest, which resulted in the bloody Astor Place Riot of 1849 (Two Shakespearean Actors). He also wrote the libretto for the musical, Chess, among other works and adaptations.

The company includes Jon DeVries, Heather Goldenhersh, Kali Rocha, John Rothman, Chris Stafford, Robin Weigert and Amy Whitehouse. Designers are Thomas Lynch (set), Susan Hilferty (costumes), James F. Ingalls (lighting) and Raymond Schilke (sound).

Performances are the Playwrights' Anne G. Wilder Theatre, 416 W. 42nd St. For ticket information, call (212) 279-4200.

The staging follows the popular Playwrights Horizons run of Christopher Durang's Betty's Summer Vacation, which closed April 18 after three extensions and curiosity from commercial producers.

-- By Kenneth Jones