Playwright-actress Oni Faida Lampley's new work, The Dark Kalamazoo, about a wide-eyed student from Kalamazoo College taking a trip to West Africa, opens Nov. 20 in a staging by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington DC.

The world premiere production, directed by Lynn Thomsen, is infused with poetry, music and storytelling as an African American woman far from home encounters culture clash, sex and unexpected love. Lampley is the Helen Hayes Award winning writer of Mixed Babies.

Performances began Nov. 10. Performances continue to Dec. 12.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company is DC's 20-year-old resident troupe committed to unconventional works including new interpretations of classics, premieres by emerging playwrights, solo pieces and edgy, Off Broadway hits.

Howard Shalwitz is artistic director. Woolly Mammoth is at 1401 Church Street NW, five blocks east of Dupont Circle, in Washington DC. Tickets are $16 $28. Call (202) 393-3939 for information.

-- By Kenneth Jones