David Foster Wallace, wordsmith of the lit crit-praised "Infinite Jest" and "The Broom of the System," had not yet been adapted to the stage -- until now. Off-Off-Broadway's The Present Company presents Hideous Men, Dylan McCullough's adaptation of Wallace's "Brief Interviews With Hideous Men," Aug. 16-26 at the Henry Street Settlement Recital Hall. McCullough also directs.

In the play, a woman searches for connection with the modern world through the interviews she holds with various men. These interviews focus on sex, violence and love, pushing her from place to place. Also propelling her is the man she left behind. He can't give her up and so tracks her down to Florida, where they have their final encounter.

Carol Monda stars as the woman with Justin Campbell and Trevor A Williams as the interviewed men. McCullough plays Monda's pursuant suitor.

Tickets are $12. For information and reservations, call (212) 420-8877 or (888)-FringeNYC. Collective Unconscious is located at 145 Ludlow Street. The New York International Fringe Festival is on the web at http://www.fringenyc.org.

-- By Christine Ehren