LOS ANGELES -- Cider House Rules opens July 11 at the Mark Taper Forum for a run through Sept. 27. Part One and Part Two will be presented on separate evenings during the week or together on weekends in marathons.

Featured in the two-part play, adapted by Peter Parnell from John Irving's 1985 best-selling novel, are (in alphabetical order) Jillian Armenante, Tom Beyer, Janni Brenn, Jane Carr, Rebecca Chace, Danyon Davis, Josh Hamilton, Kevin Jackson, Edd Key, Casey Lluberes, Dougald Park, Liann Pattison, Myra Platt, Mike Regan, Mark E. Smith, Jayne Taini, Brenda Wehle, Shane West, Patrick Wilson and Michael Winters.

The play concerns young Homer Wells, his life in and outside an orphanage, and his father figure, Dr. Larch, who both saves babies and performs abortions.

Cider House was developed at the Seattle Repertory and received positive notices. "Anyone who laments the death of storytelling in contemporary drama will cheer the arrival of Cider House Rules," said Variety's Lynn Jacobson. The play won the 1998 American Theatre Critics Association's New Play Award, with the honor presented to Parnell at the Actors Theatre of Louisville.

For tickets and information on The Cider House Rules at the Mark Taper Forum call (213) 628-2772. The deaf community should call TDD (213) 680 4017. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent