This is not your average 'cowboys-and-cross-dressers-caught-in-the-crossfire' dark comedy. Making its West Coast premiere at West Hollywood's Coast Playhouse Sept. 1-Oct. 8. is Mark Leonard's Nikki and Bobby.

Set in a "Midnight Cowboy"esque New York City in the 1970s, the play is about the tumultuous love affair between a married-with-children Mississippi Deputy Sheriff (Bobby) and an African-American Times Square trick-turning transvestite (Nikki.) And, if that's not enough, the play is actually based on a true story. (The end was changed, however.)

Leonard, who will also direct, is currently the artistic director at D'Art Productions. His play received the Austin Circle of Theaters Award for Best Original Script when it premiered at Texas' The Chicago House. Other shows of his include Cracks in the Ice, The Hound of the Baskervilles and Dylan's Ghost, which will play at the same theater later in the season.

Slipping into the title roles for this production will be Michael Matts, who originated the role of Nikki, and J.D. Evermore, a real Mississippi native, as Bobby. The rest of the cast, which will alternate during the run, includes Ian Gregory, Bill Hagy, Justin Gorence, Jamie Austin, Melanie Rockwell, Laura Rogers, Paula Leffman, Suzanne Whang, Anita Thomas, Joe Inscoe, Tom Jacobs, Kerry Hamilton Joe Delmonico, Jim Dowd, and Jeff Marcheletta.

The production runs through Oct. 8 at the Coast Playhouse, 8325 Santa Monica Blvd. (Between Kings Rd. And Sweetzer Ave.) in West Hollywood, CA. Tickets can be purchased by calling Tickets LA at (323) 655-TKTS. For more information this and other D'Art Productions, visit them online at www.dartproductions.com. -- by Ernio Hernandez