The Rice Room closes its San Francisco limited run at the New Conservatory Theatre Center Feb. 20. Performances began Feb. 4. Deborah Nishimura directs Noel Alumit's look at gay Asian men.

Written by and starring Alumit, The Rice Room is a solo piece set in a trendy West Hollywood watering hole where various gay Asian meet and debate the most universal of themes: love, desire, survival, sex and fate. There's even a go-go dancer in Alumit's perfect night spot. The Rice Room made its debut in Santa Monica in1999 debut.

Alumit's Mr. and Mrs. La Questa Go Dancing was produced at San Fran's Theatre Rhinoceros. As an actor he has appeared in Who's Afraid of Edward Albee? and garnered an L.A. Weekly Award in the world premiere of Chay Yew's A Language of Their Own.

Tickets are $17-$15 and are available by calling (415) 861-8972. New Conservatory Theatre Center is located at 25 Van Ness Avenue near Market.

-- By Christine Ehren