In the new play by the author of the regional and Broadway play, Smell of the Kill, "the fate of a necklace links the stories of 23 women. Four actresses will play these wildly varied characters who covet, steal, give, and lose a lustrous string of pearls. With gentle comedy and surprising candor the play details the twists and turns in relationships between a wife and husband, mother and daughter, two friends, two sisters, a woman and her memories, and a string of other emotional connections. Love, loss, desire, and destiny are intricately threaded together..."

Official opening is Oct. 15. The cast includes Rebecca Harris, Sheila McKenna, Helena Ruoti and Sharon Washington. The designers are Loy Arcenas (scenic); Dave Bjornson (sound); Thomas Hase (lighting); and Michael Olich.

String of Pearls was developed last season in City Theatre's "MOMENTUM: new plays at different stages" program, sponsored by Mellon Financial Corporation.

Playwright Lowe made her Broadway debut with The Smell of the Kill. She has also written Backsliding in the Promised Land, Map of Heaven and the musical Hit the Lights!

Eric Simonson is an actor, writer and director who works in film, television and theatre. He is a company member of Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Tickets range $28-$38. City Theatre is at 1300 Bingham and 13th Street, South Side of Pittsburgh.

For information, call (412) 431-CITY or visit www.citytheatrecompany.org.