August Wilson's Jitney, which began subscription previews Jan. 23 at the Mark Taper Forum and opened there Feb. 3 for a run through March 19, is on target for Off-Broadway performances beginning April 8.

According to general manager Roger Alan Gindi, the show is scheduled to open at Second Stage Theatre April 25 for a run through May 21. After that, Center Theatre Group and producer Ben Mordecai, in association with Second Stage, have the right to either move the show or keep it where it is until October, when the new Second Stage season begins. Stephen Sondheim's early musical, Saturday Night, is the venue's current tenant, through March 26.

Directed by Marion McClinton, the cast of Jitney includes (in alphabetic order), Willis Burks II, Paul Butler, Anthony Chisholm, Leo V. Finnie III, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Barry Shabaka Henly, Russell Hornsby, Carl Lumbly and Nichole Briana White.

Jitney on the West Coast is produced by Mark Taper Forum and Second Stage Theatre in association with Sageworks. The creative team comprises set designer David Gallo, costume designer Susan Hilferty, lighting designer Donald Holder and sound designer Rob Milburn. Narda Alcorn is the production stage manager.

* The first play written by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wilson, Jitney offers a look into 1970s Pittsburgh and the lives of a group of black men scraping out a living in a gypsy cab company (or jitney station). The play's central character (Charles Becker) is the owner of the unlicensed company who must deal with the city's plan to board up his business. He's also thrown by his son's return after 20 years in prison. Other Wilson works include Two Trains Running and Fences.

Mark Taper Forum is located at 135 N. Grand Ave. For tickets and information call (213) 628-2772 or visit www.TaperAhmanson.com

-- By David Lefkowitz
and Murdoch McBride, Willard Manus