The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble will present the West Coast premiere of writer-performer Kenneth Tigar's I Must Be Mr. Boswell, a composite of the life and times of James Boswell, Britain's bawdy biographer of Samuel Johnson, for a limited six-week engagement commencing May 16.

Boswell basically founded the literary art of biography when he committed to paper the life of his friend and companion, Dr. Johnson, the highly opinionated and cantankerous poet, essaying and author of the first English dictionary.

Tigar is a Harvard University graduate and was the recipient of both Fulbright and Woodrow Wilson scholarships, and has taught at the University of Connecticut. He has appeared in many film and television shows, most recently in "Mad About You," "X Files" and "ER." In Los Angeles Tigar has won acting awards from Drama-Logue and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. Odyssey credits include the original Chicago Conspiracy and Brecht on Brecht. Tigar is presently appearing in 900 Oneonta at the Odyssey.

Performances of I Must be Mr. Boswell are scheduled for Sundays and Mondays through June 21. Call (310) 477-2055.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent