South Coast Repertory Theatre has planned a Homecomingfor its 38th season and it's a special one. Harold Pinter's The Homecoming was one of the first productions SCR staged back in 1965, along with The Birthday Party. Now The Homecoming again plays South Coast Repertory Oct. 12-Nov. 18. Opening night is Oct. 19.

In The Homecoming, British philosopher Teddy brings his wife Ruth home to the all-male household run by his 70-year old, retired butcher father, Max. His brothers — the boxer wannabe Joey and the oldest, angry Lenny — also live with their Uncle Sam, a chauffeur. The four men have been without a female presence since the death of Max's wife Jessie, and Ruth's presence leaves a deep mark on each man. Pinter, known for his loutish characters and his pauses, is the author of The Caretaker, Betrayal, The Room, Ashes to Ashes and Celebration.

SCR artistic director Martin Benson, who has directed one third of all of SCR's productions, helms the Pinter drama. His credits include last season's A Delicate Balance and Entertaining Mr. Sloane in career that has garnered some 21 Drama-Logue Awards.

The Homecoming stars Richard Doyle (The Beard of Avon) as Sam, Don Harvey as Lenny, Nicholas Hormann (Orson's Shadow) as Teddy, Sean Howse (The Sisters Rosensweig) as Joey, Colette Kilroy (Tom Walker) as Ruth and W. Morgan Sheppard (The Marat Side, Sherlock Holmes) as Max.

Tickets are $19-$52. South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For reservations, call (714) 708-5555. South Coast Repertory is on the web at http://www.scr.org. — By Christine Ehren