LOS ANGELES -- Doroteia: An Irresponsible Farce, a play by renowned Brazilian playwright Nelson Rodriguez, will have its U.S. premiere at the Los Angeles Theatre Center (LATC) Nov.6 & 7 at 8 PM.

The free production will be performed in Portuguese with English subtitles. The production is sponsored by the Brazilian Consulate and the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department.

First staged in Brazil in 1950, the work by the controversial, avant-garde Rodriguez "uses surreal symbolism in the telling of the story of three cousins, Dona Flavia, Carmelita and Maura, who live the family curse of chastity. The sin against love that created the curse stems from their grandmother, who loved one man and married another. In the midst of this setting enters Doroteia, the cousin who has not turned away from men," said a company spokesperson.

The theatre is at 514 S. Spring St. No reservations; admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call (213) 485-1681.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent