Theatre LaB Houston [sic] continues its salute to Hollywood, Sept. 9-Oct. 18, with the musical/comedy/thriller, No Way To Treat A Lady. Douglas J. Cohen musical is based on the William Goldman novel (and 1968 film) about a killer, a cop, his Jewish mother, and an attractive coed. First staged at the Hudson Guild Theatre in 1987, the show had a well-received mounting in 1996 at Off-Broadway's York Theatre.

Houston's staging will feature Jimmy Phillips, Jennie Welch, Greg Coles and Robin Smith. Ed Muth directs, with musical direction by Steven Jones.

Closing the LaB season, Nov. 11-Dec. 20, will be James Maynard's adaptation of a short story by Harry Bates, "Farewell to the Master" -- better known as the source material for the film The Day The Earth Stood Still. Keeping the latter title, the play tells of Klaatu and his robot, Gort, arriving to warn the earth of impending doom if governments didn't stop stockpiling weaponry.

Since the first half of the season was dubbed "Hollywood Theatre," part two was naturally dubbed, "Hollywood Theatre: The Sequel." The "Sequel" series began Aug. 5-9 with Marcy Lafferty's solo show, Vivien Leigh: The Last Press Conference.. Previous shows in the LaB's movie-based season included Four Dogs and a Bone, Bang The Drum Slowly and Eating Raoul.

For information on shows at Theatre LaB Houston, call (713) 868-7516

-- By Peter Szatmary
and David Lefkowitz