LONG BEACH, CA -- Two local theatres announced casts for their upcoming respective shows.

L.A. Jewish Theatre, which works out of Actors' Playhouse, announced that Jason Esquerra and Morgana Rae will star in Richard Freedmen's dark comedy of religion, Gift of God, opening May 1 for a six-week run. Shannon C.M. Flynn (replacing the previously announced Cecilia Fannon) directs. The Midwest Theatre Network recently announced that it has selected Gift of God out of a field of 607 entries to be one of five plays performed as part of its fall festival in October.

Call (213) 660-8587.

International City Theatre has cast Alan Brooks, Catherine Domareki, Karen Hutcheson, Penelope Miller Lindbloom, Rose Marie Long, Terry Ray, Barry Sigismondi, Julia Silverman, Valerie Swift and Kathryn Velvet in the southern California premiere of Emma's Child by Kristine Thatcher.

The play opens May 8 for a six-week run at ICT, located on the campus of Long Beach City College. Call (562) 938-4128. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent