Christmas Eve, one of the special evenings celebrated in For Here or To Go?, is the final performance for the holiday play with music, premiering at the Mark Taper Forum. The Cornerstone Theatre Company, known for their theatrical community collaborations like Long Wharf's recent The Good Person of New Haven, began Dec. 15. Bill Rauch directs this multi-cutural piece by Alison Carey.

For Here or to Go? sets itself in the furious holiday time in December when four major cultures celebrate various religious and commercial holidays from Hanukkah and Christmas to Kwanzaa and Ramadan. The music is composed by Michael Abels with Shishir Kurup.

The cast includes Gracy Brown, Larry Dozier, Ahmad Enani, George Haddad, Theodora Hardie, Emily Hong, Peter Howard, Page Leong and Armando Molina.

Set design is by Lynn Jeffries, costumes by Christopher Acebo, lighting by Geoff Korf and sound design by Paul James. Choreography is by Jessica Wallenfels. Paula Donnelly is the production stage manager.

Drawing upon members of the various local communities with whom they have collaborated (such as residents of Angelus Plaza, Baldwin Hills, Beverly Hills, Boyle Heights, Chinatown and Watts), Cornerstone has created a citywide "bridge" production that, true to the holiday spirit, testifies to the power of cross-cultural understanding and communication. Cornerstone has earned a national reputation for innovative, collaborative theatre projects that draw upon the culture, history and talents of each community in which they work. For Here Or to Go? kicks off the company's 15th season.

Mark Taper Forum is located at l35 N. Grand Ave. For tickets and information call (213) 628-2772 or visit www.TaperAhmanson.com.

- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
and Christine Ehren