The Talking Band's artistic director Paul Zimet will direct the piece that will transform the Ellen Stewart Theatre into a fairground, complete with game booths, food stands and sideshows, all under a big tent. Hot Lunch Apostles officially opens March 8. Performances will run through March 18.

Joining Wainwright and Wetherall ("Queer As Folk") are Talking Band members Will Badgett, Ellen Maddow and Tina Shepard, as well as with NicHi Douglas and Ed RosenBerg.

Hot Lunch Apostles, according to La MaMa, "is a raucous, provocative mash up of sex and religion that follows a traveling troupe of carnival strippers who resort to performing Bible stories in order to survive in a climate of religious fervor and economic desperation in America."

The work has music by Ellen Maddow and Harry Mann, set design by Nic Ularu, lighting design by Lenore Doxsee and costumes by Kiki Smith and Jill St. Coeur.

The Talking Band's gala benefit performance of Hot Lunch Apostles will take place March 7. An after-party, with a performance by Wainwright, is planned. Tickets to the gala are $50. Phone (646) 660-0150. Regular tickets are available by calling (212) 475-7710 or by visiting LaMaMa. La MaMa e.t.c. is located at 74A East 4th Street in Manhattan.