David Strathairn, last seen in New York in Harold Pinter's enigmatic Ashes to Ashes, is now in Philadelphia starring in a more forthrightly dramatic work. David Gow's Cherry Docs, a drama about a Jewish lawyer who has to defend a neo-Nazi, finishes its May 3-June 4 run this weekend at the Wilma Theatre. Directing the U.S. premiere of this Canadian play, which officially opened May 10, is co-artistic director Jizi Ziska.

In Cherry Docs, Strathairn plays a legal-aid attorney defending a skin-head, who resents that his life is in the hands of his biological enemy.

Strathairn's New York credits include David Hare's Hapgood and Sam Shepard's Eyes for Consuela, while his film resume includes "Eight Men Out," "Lost in Yonkers" and "A League of Their Own." Jason Field, who has regional credits at such venues as NY’s Geva and L.A.’s Asylum Theatre, will play Mike the neo-Nazi.

Designing the show are Jerry Rojo (set), Sarah Iams (costumes), Jerold R. Forsyth (lighting) and Adam Wernick (sound).

For tickets ($7-$38) and information on Cherry Docs at the Wilma Theatre, Broad & Spruce Streets in Philadelphia, call (215) 893-9456. -- By David Lefkowitz