Two-Headed, Julie Jensen's drama of female friendship in pioneer Utah, makes its West Coast premiere at Los Angeles' John Anson Ford Theatre Jan. 11-Feb. 25. Veronica Brady directs Mary Mara (Kindertransport, Mad Forest, "Nash Bridges" and "ER") and Colette Kilroy (Quills, "Profiler" and "The Ice Storm").

Mara and Kilroy play two frontier friends in 19th century Utah, where the older Lavinia torments Hettie with her secret stash of goodies raided from a hushed-up frontier massacre, both unaware of how that horrific event will shape their lives. Utah playwright Jensen's other works include the prize winners Stray Dogs, White Money and Tenderhoods: The Lost Vegas Series. She is the great-great-great granddaughter of Colonel William H. Dame, who planned the Mountain Meadow Massacre, the central event that changes her fictional characters' lives.

Two-Headed made its world premiere at New York City's Women's Project Theatre. Lizbeth Mackay (The Price, Crimes of the Heart) and Deidre O'Connell starred.

Two-Headed opens Jan. 20. The John Anson Ford Theatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Boulevard East. For reservations, call (323) GO-1-FORD.

— By Christine Ehren