Asked why Magic is producing two of Kolvenbach's plays in rep, Greco replied, "Two plays back to back. It is rare to have a mid-career artist celebrated in this way. Traditionally you have to be dead, turning 75, or Tony Kushner (who deserves every party he's ever been thrown). My hope is we will begin a trend. Celebrate artists in their mid career and let audiences invest in their growth in the very same way we are. Why wait?"

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According to Magic notes, "Goldfish, a heartbreaking comedy, and Mrs. Whitney, a comedy about heartbreak, may be seen back to back during special Kolvenbach Marathon evenings or as two separate events during the course of the run."

Here's how the plays are characterized: "How do we become who we are? In Goldfish a young man raises his father and then leaves home. He meets a young woman who undoes him. She has her own story (including a mother who is a force of nature). We raise our children to leave us, but what happens when they do?

"What happens when a cynic by trade takes to the road in the hopes of reuniting with her one true (albeit messy) love? When her most prized possession leaves the nest, Margaret Whitney reluctantly chooses to follow her heart. In Mrs. Whitney, a wonderfully wicked and hilarious sequel to Goldfish, a woman of a certain age drops her armor long enough to reveal her true romantic core."

Goldfish and Mrs. Whitney star Bay Area favorites Rod Gnapp, Anna Bullard, Arwen Anderson, Charles Dean and Patrick Alparone. Albert Pastides and Patricia Hodges join the cast from New York City, making their Magic Theatre debuts. Patricia Hodges — of Broadway's recent A Man for All Seasons — plays the title role of Margaret Whitney in both Mrs. Whitney and Goldfish.

Greco stated, "Kolvenbach's work [is] revelatory — not in its cutting edge or reinvented structure or physical gymnastics, but in the simple fact that he still believes in profound stories of the heart that are indeed so authentically heartbreaking you think you might not survive, and so funny they make your sides ache. His love of language, his love of the common man and woman and the audacious/ridiculous/pathetic things we must do to transcend our plight as hapless creatures, as well as his ultimate love and respect of the audience make him truly unique."

The production team for the plays features set designer Michael Locher, light designer York Kennedy, costume designer Alex Jaeger and Magic's resident sound designer Sara Huddleston.

Kolvenbach's other plays include Love Song, on an average day, The Gravity of Means, Gizmo Love and Fabuloso. Goldfish premiered at South Coast Repertory in 2009, directed by Loretta Greco.

Magic Theatre is in Building D, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA. For tickets and more information, call (415) 441-8822 or www.magictheatre.org.