LOS ANGELES -- Leonard Nimoy's acclaimed Vincent, an intimate look at the man, the artist and the legend, checks into the Court Theatre Jan. 14, 1999, starring Sam Lovett. The opening coincides with L.A. County Museum's major exhibition of the works of Van Gogh.

Based on letters written by Van Gogh to his brother Theo, Vincent is a "compelling biographical look at the life of the famed painter and the close friendship he shared with Theo," said a company spokesperson. "Their story unfolds in a single evening in a lecture hall in Paris one week following Vincent's death in 1890, where Theo has gathered many of the people who attended his brother's funeral...so he could say what he wasn't able to a week earlier."

Lovett performs both Vincent and Theo in the solo play, which is directed by Cynthia Parks. Lovett and Parks are co-founders of Santa Cruz's Central Theatre Works.

Nimoy, an original founding member of L.A.'s Company of Angeles, is known for his work as Spock on the original "Star Trek" series. He originated the roles in Vincent in 1981 at Minneapolis' Guthrie Theatre, where it received its world premiere.

Through Feb. 21, 1999 at the Court Theatre, 722 N. La Cienaga Blvd. in W. Hollywood. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent