LOS ANGELES -- Clarice Cohen's Tribal Tales of Love, a "funny solo noir" written and performed by Susan Merson, bows at The Eclectic Theatre Company June 26 and runs through Aug. 1.

Veteran New York actress Merson (Vanities; Saturday, Sunday, Monday) has workshopped her show at the Skirball Cultural Center, Canon Theatre and the HBO Workspace for the past two years.

Directed by Randee Trabitz (whose local production of The Mystery of Irma Vep is now in its fifth month), Tales deals with "a 60 something born-again chanteuse, the unchallenged star of the Senior Citizen and Temple Circuit, who despite her recently ended affair with the very married Ernie Abrams -- 'her own personal Hungarian hunk of steam' -pushes on, through and over any heartache to personal triumph through song," said a company spokesperson.

Merson is a member of The Eclectic Theatre Company, an ensemble of performers, writers, directors and producers.

Performances are Fri. & Sat. at 8 PM; Sun. at 3 PM at the Electric Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd. in N. Hollywood. Tickets are $15. Call (213) 660-TKTS. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent