San Francisco's Magic Theatre will bring science to the stage with three readings at the Exploratorium for three Wednesdays from Sept. 18-Oct. 2. The plays are Michael Hollinger's Tooth and Claw (Sept. 18), Ira Hauptman's Partition (Sept. 25) and Neena Beber's Zachariah Mosley's Neon Blues (Oct. 2), a possibility for the Magic's 2002-2003 season.

Partition is already set to have its world premiere April 11-May 20, 2003 at nearby Berkeley's Aurora Theatre. First, the Magic will read this biographical comedy based on the life of India's great mathmatician Srinivasa Ramanujan. Blending mystical religion with details from the turn-of-the-century genuis' life, the play recounts Ramanujan's quest into analytical number theory. Hauptman is also the author of Moon Over Manhattan, Monument Valley and Private Messiah.

Zachariah Mosley's Neon Blues finds a sickly teenager confined to his bed for a year with nothing to do but stare at the ceiling. From the boredom, he hits on a great idea: what if he invented a glow-in-the-dark paint so he could have his own solar system without leaving his bedroom? The Magic Theatre previously produced two of Beber's plays, A Common Vision in 1999 and The Brief But Exemplary Life of the Living Goddess (As Told By Herself).

Tooth and Claw examines ethical questions revolving around mankind's interference with the natural evolution on the Galapagos Islands. Hollinger wrote An Empty Plate In The Café Du Grand Boeuf, which starred George Wendt in its Off-Broadway run.

Performances are free with either a Magic Theatre subscription or an Exploratorium entrance ticket. For reservations, call (415) 441-8822. — By Christine Ehren