The Dale Griffiths Stamos-penned work marks the inaugural production of Venice Sky Productions at Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica, California, Jan. 20-Feb. 26.

The world of philosophy and romance ignite when a university professor who follows the theories of Plato and Descartes encounters a younger graduate student who "embodies the romantic philosophies of Rosseau," according to show materials.

"We think of philosophy as a musty old discipline buried in books," explains scribe Stamos in a release. "I wanted to make it alive and stimulating, to show its relevance to every aspect of our lives today. How do we strike a daily balance in the struggle between heart and mind, emotion and reason? In the play, Richard not only upsets Elizabeth's sense of self, he stirs up the entire philosophy department with his ideas."

Alison Vail Fuller (I Stand Before You Naked) directs Lawrence and Gonzalez in a cast that also features Carlease Burke (Romeo and Juliet - Theatre@Boston Court), Anne Marie Howard ("Another World," "Days of Our Lives"), Peter Husmann (Virtual Devotion, A Grand Night for Singing) and Joel Polis (Pound of Flesh, The Baby Dance).

Known for her Emmy-nominated turn on "NYPD Blue" and recent stint on "Desperate Housewives," Lawrence has previously trod the Broadway boards as Velma in Chicago. Other stage work includes Zorba, Cabaret and Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway and regional stagings of Tongue of a Bird, Paint Your Wagon, Under The Blue Sky, The Guys, Company and I'm Getting My Act Together. Gonzalez has starred in Showtime's "Resurrection Blvd." and enjoyed recurring roles on "Law and Order: SVU," "The O.C." and "American Family." Film credits include "Behind Enemy Lines II: Land of the Morning Calm," "Anacondas," "Dirty," "Spun" and "Scenes of the Crime." Familiar with the world of academia, he earned a degree in English from Stanford and studied at Oxford University and Trinity College (Dublin) to complete his thesis on James Joyce's "Ulysses."

The design team for Dialectics of the Heart features Dan Wheeler (set) and Jeremy Pivnick (lighting).

For reservations to Dialectics of the Heart at Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main Street (between Pico and Ocean Park) in Santa Monica, CA, call the Edgemar Center Box Office at (310) 392-7327 or visit www.venicesky.com.