Cloud 9, Caryl Churchill's farcical take on sexual identity, completes its run at San Francisco's New Conservatory Theatre June 30. The revival, part of the sixth Pride Season, is directed by Arturo Catricala (Snakebit, Debunking Love).

The winner of three Obies and two Drama Desk Awards, Cloud 9 takes non-traditional casting to satiric heights. Set in "darkest" but British Africa in the Victorian 1880's and modern-day London, the comedy casts a man as British official Clive's wife Betty, a rag doll as their daughter Victoria, a girl as their son Edward and a white actor as the black servant Joshua. These visually strange characters are complimented by the Clive's friend Harry, the bisexual explorer and lesbian governess Mrs. Saunders, who runs around in a riding habit. Act Two finds these same characters in the sexually free 80's, still trying to establish their identities.

Churchill's other works include Mad Forest: a Play from Romania, Serious Money, A Mouthful of Birds and Top Girls.

Performances began April 25. Tickets are $25-$15. The New Conservatory Theatre Center is located at 25 Van Ness Avenue near Market Street. For tickets, call (415) 861-8972. The New Conservatory Theatre Center is on the web at http://www.nctcsf.org.

— By Christine Ehren