The first preview of The York Theatre Company's world premiere musical, Postcards on Parade is expected to be postmarked April 14, in New York City, after a delay from April 11.

The developing new work by Kenward Elmslie needed more time to gel, and bumped its preview date twice, but is expected to dawn April 14 under the direction of Clayton Phillips, a Hal Prince protégé who staged Kiss of the Spider Woman abroad.

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To cope with loss, a postcard collector (technically, a "deltiologist") creates a fantastic musical journey in which two couples "romp through fact and fantasy in a cross country tour where postcards come to life." It's billed as a surreal journey.

Book and lyrics are by the poet Elmslie and music is by Steven Taylor, formerly of the pop group, The Fuggs. Elmslie previously penned a Broadway musical stage version of The Grass Harp, drawing from Truman Capote's story. In the final years of John LaTouche's life, Elmslie was the lyricist's "significant other," according to a Playbill bio. He has also penned libretti for six operas. Postcards on Parade features Jennifer Allen (Cats, Little Me), John Hillner (Footloose), Mark Lotito (The Most Happy Fella) and Randy Redd (Parade, By Jeeves).

Songs in the new tuner include "It's a Good Life," "Busy Correspondence Card," "P-P-P-Pain," "King Kong Stan," "Paradise of Beauty," "One Day at a Time," "Take Me Away, Roy Rogers."

Andy Blankenbuehler, a dancer featured prominently in Fosse and Saturday Night Fever, choreographs. Designers are York artistic director James Morgan (set), Mary Jo Dondlinger (lighting), Lynn Bowling (costumes) and Michael Clark (projections). Musical direction and arrangements are by Jack Aaronson.

Official opening is April 27, with performances continuing to May 21.

Tickets are $40-$45. The York Theatre Company presents in The Theatre at Saint Peter's in the Citicorp Center, 619 Lexington Ave. at 54th Street. For information, call (212) 239-6200.

-- By Kenneth Jones