Buffalo Nights Theatre Company will present Jean Giraudoux's The Apollo of Bellac at the Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica on April 14. Adapted by Maurice Valency and directed by J.M. Higgins, the play will run through May 21. The cast includes Michael Goorjian, Evan Arnold, Gibson Frazier, Brian Flora, Beth Kennedy, Andy Milder, Greg Palmer, Lorin Shapiro, Karen Tucker, Brian Watt and Kevin Weisman.

Giraudoux was a much-produced French playwright in the 40s and 50s, but his work is rarely done in the U.S. today. Bellac was written in 1954 and follows a young woman, unemployed and terrified of men, until a mysterious stranger offers her "the secret" -- not only to employment, but to riches, love and power. The play explores Giraudoux's favorite themes: the chasm between men and women, between the rational and the emotional, and most startlingly, between the real and the ideal.

Goorjian leads the ensemble as The Man. He received an Emmy Award for his work opposite Kristie Alley in "David's Mother," and was seen recently in L.A. in Buffalo Nights' production of Modigliani.

Powerhouse Theatre is located at 3116 Second St. in Santa Monica. For tickets and information call (310) 289-2999.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent