Presented by The Echo Theater Company, Jessica Goldberg's play, which was previously titled Ward 57, will officially open July 26 and play a limited engagement through Aug. 24. Chris Fields directs. The cast features Kristina Lear, Michael James Reed, Samantha Shelton and Jeremy Maxwell.

Body Politic, according to press notes, is described as such: "Wendy Hoffman is a screenwriter determined to gain access to Ward 57 of Walter Reed Hospital, the ward where soldiers who have suffered cataclysmic injuries in Iraq recover. Captain Gray Whitlock is the Army captain in charge who denies her access. Private Small is a patient on the ward who wants to die. And the studio executive, Eric, just wants a screenplay. What occurs between all of them . . . is the surprising and poignant story of what can happen when people with deep commitments and beliefs come to recognize each other's humanity."

The production features set design by Torry Bend, lighting design by Ian Garrett, sound design by Fionnegan Murphy and costume design by Audrey Eisner. Lauren Bass and Chris Fields produce.

Goldberg's plays include Get What You Need; Sex Parasite; Good Thing; Refuge, which won the 1999 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize; The Hologram Theory; and Stuck. Ward 57 was first developed at The Colony in Missoula, MT, and made its world premiere in March at Florida Stage.

The Zephyr Theatre is located at 7456 Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, CA. Tickets, priced $20, are available by calling (800) 413-8669 or by visiting www.echotheatercompany.com.