The youth of the 1960s challenged the status quo and changed their entire generation's outlook. But there would be prices to pay for the generation that would follow.

Seattle Repertory Theatre's production of New Patagonia, opening Nov. 20, looks at the strained relationship between a 60s guru and his son, on the eve of the psychedelic leader's death. Rep artistic director Sharon Ott (Sisters Masumoto) directs.

When author and '60's legend Karl Kroeger discovers cancer will soon kill him, he decides the best way to go is to stage a celebratory "Orgasmic Mass of the Belated Undead" for all his old friends and have his son, Jesse, film the event. While Karl revels with his followers, his boy tries to make his father understand what he's lost despite his fame and exciting lifestyle.

Seattle writer Elizabeth Heffron’s other credits include The Main Room, An Altered Life, Standards of Beauty and Babies, Broads and Bread.

John Seitz, an Obie winner for Maria Irene Fornes' Mud and Abingdon Square, stars as Karl Kroeger with Quentin Mare (Birdseed Bundles, Hedda Gabler with Martha Plimpton) as his son, Jesse. Also in the cast are Charles Dean (Tank), Cynthia Jones (Angel), Lori Larsen (Roxie) and Jesse Lee Thomas (John-John) Designing New Patagonia are Karen Gjetsteen (sets), Frances Kenny (costumes), M.L. Geiger (lighting), Stephen LeGrand (sound) and Nikki Appino (video).

New Patagonia began performances Nov. 13 for a run through Dec. 23. Tickets are $42-$15. Seattle Repertory Theatre is located in the Seattle Center at the corner of Second Avenue and Mercer Street. For reservations, call (206) 443-2222. Seattle Repertory Theatre is on the web at