The Melting Pot Theatre's world-premiere staging of Rich Orloff's comedy, Oy!, a collection of vignettes about how Yiddish has seeped into contemporary life, wraps up its Off Broadway run March 14.

The production began previews Feb. 10 at Theatre 3 (311 W. 43rd St.) in New York City and officially opened Feb. 14.

In 12 vignettes, Orloff's play shows the effect and influence the Yiddish language has on contemporary life. A one-act version of the show was a hit at the Streisand Jewish Playwrights Festival.

A live Klezmer duo, with original music by Greg Plisak, enlivens the production, which is choreographed by Daniel Wright, designed by John Coyne and directed by Lori Steinberg (Yiddle With a Fiddle). Designers are Sue Gandy (costume) and Michael Lincoln (lighting).

The cast includes Lee Wilkof (OB's original Little Shop of Horrors), Matthew Arkin (The Sunshine Boys revival), Elaine Bromka (I'm Not Rappaport), Heather Goldenhersh (Freedomland) and Frank Vlastnik (Big). Melting Pot Theatre, now in its third year, had its biggest success with Woodie Guthrie's American Song in fall 1998. The Melting Pot's mission is to produce multicultural theatre that reflects the diversity of New York City.

Tickets are $25-$35. For more Oy! information call (212) 279 4200.

-- By Kenneth Jones