SANTA BARBARA, CA -- The End of the Day, a rarely seen early play by Jon Robin Baitz, will open Feb. 5 at the Ensemble Theatre Company, continuing through March 7, 1999.

Among Baitz's other produced plays are Substance of Fire, The Film Society, Mizlanksy/Zilinsky or, Schmucks and Dutch Landscape.

The End of the Day is a satire set in southern California and London. It follows the rise of a young Englishman, Graydon Massey, who comes to America, marries well, and then becomes imbroigled in an international business scandal. In his struggle to regain his dignity and decency, Massey experiences an ironic and wicked redemption.

In the cast are Rudolph Wilrich, Jason Asprey, Jason Spelbring, Alison Coutts, Gretchen Evans and Andy Prosky (son of Robert Prosky). The director is Robert Grande Weiss.

The Ensemble Theatre Co. works out of the Alhecama Theatre, 914 Santa Barbara St. Call (8056) 962-8606 or visit www.emsembletheatre.com. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent