For a cutting-edge Off-Off-Broadway company and Obie Award darling, Target Margin Theatre shows an unusual interest in the fusty classics of yesteryear. In the past it has resurrected such forgotten American dramas as Dorothy and DuBose Heyward's Mamba's Daughters, Preston Sturges' Strictly Dishonourable and Julian Green's South, as well as the seldom seen Christopher Marlowe work Dido, Queen of Carthage.

Next to be dusted off by artistic director David Herskovits and company is the once controversial play The Marriage of Figaro by eighteenth century French playwright Beaumarchais. Previews began on Oct. 10. Official opening is Oct. 17.

Like its prequel, The Barber of Seville, Figaro attracted the ire of the censors. The play was considered overly critical of the authorities of the day, and permission to produce it was denied again and again. When it was finally staged at the Comédie-Française in 1784 it was, of course, a massive hit.

Today, the comedy is best remembered as the inspiration of the Mozart opera of the same name.

The Marriage of Figaro is part of the "Target Margin goes to the Opera" season, which will also feature the premiere of The Sandman, a new opera by Herskovits, Thomas Cabaniss and Douglas Langworthy. The cast of Figaro will include Rinne Groff, Kwana Martinez, Robert Alexander Owens, Paul Vincent Black, Christy Meyer, Yuri Skujins, Joyce Lee and Alvaro Heinig. The show will be presented at the Ohio Theatre in Soho.

For more information, call (212) 358-3657.