SANTA MONICA -- Falling In Love Again, a drama about the true life love affair between Marlene Dietrich and Maurice Chevalier, will open Nov. 14 at "The Other Space" at Santa Monica Playhouse. Previews began Oct. 31.

Written by Jerry Mayer and directed by Kenneth Elliott, the play stars James Warwick, Marla Frees and Nick Jameson. "It's more than a Hollywood story about two movie stars," said Mayer, author of the long-running comedies at the Playhouse, Almost Perfect and Aspirin & Elephants. "It's about Dietrich and Chevalier's passionate love affair that turned into a lifelong, fiercely loyal friendship."

During the war, when Chevalier was singing in France, Dietrich was entertaining G.I.s all over Europe. After Normandy, when the Germans retreated from France, Chevalier was accused of collaborating with the Nazis and put on trial. Dietrich hurried to Paris to defend him."

Mayer's play incorporates songs made famous by Dietrich and Chevalier, such as "Falling in Love Again," "Louise," "You're the Cream in My Coffee" and "Lili Marlene."

The Playhouse is located 1211 4th St. in Santa Monica. Call (310) 230- 9794 for information. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent