LOS ANGELES -- Maggie, the main character of Amantha May's new play The Mermaid, is obsessed with water and swimming, so it's only natural that the play's world premiere should take place at Beverlywood Swim School on June 16. The run is through July 15, after which the play will go to New York for the International Fringe Festival. Lisa Teichner is the director.

Maggie is a giantess with a strong affinity for water and swimming pools. It's part of her act, as she has been raised to be a performer by Helen, whom she presumes to be her mother. Maggie's attachment to water, however, becomes incompatible with her dependence on Helen, who suddenly tries to abandon her, forcing Maggie to try and discover who she really is.

May and Teichner are both graduates of California Institute of the Arts. Prior to coming to L.A., May spent three years producing, directing and acting with Thunder Road Ensemble in Chicago. Teichner was a production associate of the recent staged reading of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (starring Uta Hagen) at the Ahmanson.

The Mermaid's cast also includes Stephen Ferguson, Seth Holder and Keri-Anne Telford.

Beverlywood Swim School is located at 2612 S. Robertson Blvd. For tickets and information call (818) 908-8941. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent