Queen's songbook provided the score for We Will Rock You, the musical which started previews at the Dominion Theatre in London on April 24, 2002. Now Mercury:  The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God, based on the rock star's life, will begin weekly performances at The Triad Theatre (158 West 72nd St.) on Jan. 11, 2004. Presented by NahNotOutsideMyHouse! Productions in association with Peter Martin, Mercury is directed by author Charles Messina and stars Amir Darvish. The piece is a one-man drama about the singer and songwriter, who brought the world a theatrical tenor and souped-up, highly operatic rock anthems such as "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Somebody to Love" and "We Will Rock You." Since his death of AIDS in 1991, Mercury's music has grown in influence. Strangely enough, there is a connection between both We Will Rock You and Mercury and Robert De Niro. The film actor was an investor in the former. As for Mercury, Messisa named his production company after De Niro's response when the young director tried to pitch a screenplay idea outside the movie star's Tribeca home.

Mercury will perform every Sunday night at 7 PM through March. Tickets are $30. For ticket information, call (212) 352-3101.