Veni, vidi,... docui? "He came, he saw, he taught" which loosely translated from Latin describes what the professor in Candida and Her Friends did. The play by Mario Fratti that began at Theatre for the New City June 7 in downtown Manhattan is now set to end its scheduled run June 24.

In this comedy, the Latin professor learns just how much 'Romance' is actually invoked from this language. As three of his students fall in love with him and make advances towards him, he begins to rethink his method.

Michael Hillyer directs the New City production with a cast that includes Brian Runbeck, Caroline Strong, Alex McCord and Toks Olagundoye. Set design is handled by Mark Symzack, costumes are by Roi Escudero and lights come courtesy of J.C. Cina.

Playwright Fratti is perhaps best known for his adaptation of the musical Nine, from the Federico Fellini film "8 1/2". Other works include Che Guevara, Cage, Suicide, Refusal, Refrigerators, Young Wife, and Passionate Women. He's also a familiar figure on theatre aisles as critic for the Italian-language newspaper Oggi.

For tickets to Candida and Her Friends, which plays at New City, 155 First Ave. (between 9th and 10th), call (212) 254-1109. For more information, visit their website at http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/tnctheater. — by Ernio Hernandez