LOS ANGELES -- Stephen Sachs, author of last season's acclaimed Sweet Nothing in My Ear, will premiere his latest, Mother's Day, at the Fountain Theatre March 12. Sachs, who is co-artistic director of the Fountain, will also direct.

Mother's Day explores the emotional dynamics of a family confronting the complexities of adoption. Jacqueline Schultz stars as a mother whose passionate nature is ignited when her adopted daughter brings home a sexually attractive young man.

The play's cast also includes Sam Anderson, Ben Caswell and Liz Jemielita. The producer is Simon Levy, with set design by Sets-to-Go, lighting design by Kathi O'Donohue, costume design by Jeanne Reith and sound design by Peter Stenshoel.

Sweet Nothing in My Ear was a finalist for the 1998 PEN West Literary Award for Drama and will be produced next year by the Cleveland Playhouse. It was also purchased by Barbra Streisand's film company and is being developed as a movie of the week, with Sachs adapting his own work for the tube.

The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Ave. Call (323) 663 1525. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent