Neither the majority of New York critics nor the Tonys were particularly kind to Wendy Wasserstein's play last season, An American Daughter. The show played 88 performances at Broadway's Cort Theatre. That's one reason the comedy/drama, unlike other works by the Pulitzer-winning dramatist, hasn't had many regional productions.

All the more reason theatregoers lined up to catch An American Daughter in its mounting at Kansas City, MO's Unicorn Theatre. The show started previews June 3 for a June 5 opening and a run through July 5, recently extended from June 28.

The play concerns a doctor nominated for U.S. Surgeon General, but when a minor infraction involving jury duty snowballs into a media circus, her political life is shattered. The situation somewhat resembles the story of real-life Attorney General nominee, Zoe Baird.

Starring as Dr. Hughes (played on Broadway by Kate Nelligan) is Merle Moores. Also in the cast are Andi Meyer, Jim Korinke, Brian Barnhardt, Mykel Hill, Richard Alan Nichols, Nancy Hoch, Dave Ulrich and Evamarii Johnson (replacing Karen Cline-Wright). Cynthia Levin directs.

Other Wasserstein plays include Isn't It Romantic, The Sisters Rosensweig, Uncommon Women and The Heidi Chronicles. An American Daughter closes the 24th Unicorn Theatre season. Opening next season, Sept. 3, is the Delany Sisters memoir, Having Our Say. The rest of the new season wil comprise David Hare's Skylight, Douglas Carter Beane's As Bees In Honey Drown, Jez Butterworth's dark English comedy Mojo, Paula Vogel's Pulitzer winning How I Learned To Drive, and a world premiere of an award winning play.

For tickets to An American Daughter at Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City call (816) 531-PLAY.