The American Stage Company, a new Massachusetts-based theatre company, will kick-off its inaugural season with Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy, opening July 22 for a run through Aug. 22.

Actor James Lecesne will play the lead role, originated by the author in the 1983 New York incarnation. Lecesne won both the 1995 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his solo performance, Word of Mouth. Lecesne won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, "Trevor."

Torch Song revolves around Arnold, a neurotic drag queen performer desperately searching for success in his relationships with other males. Fierstein won two Tony Awards (Best Play and Best Actor) for Torch Song in 1982. The play was made into a 1988 film that starred Fierstein and Matthew Broderick. An actor as well as author, Fierstein most recently lent his voice to Yao, the short, bearded comic sidekick in Disney's "Mulan."

Doris Belack plays Arnold's domineering Jewish mother, Mrs. Beckoff. Belack's Broadway credits include: The Cemetery Club, Social Security, Bad Habits, and Last of the Red Hot Lovers.

Others in the cast include: Christopher Durham, Jimmy Shaw, Patricia Randell and Dustin James. Matthew Lombardo will direct. Performances will take place at the Town Hall Theatre in Provincetown, MA. For tickets, call (508) 487-2400.

-- By Sean McGrath