The Latino comedy troupe Culture Clash has been celebrating its 15th anniversary with a return to Los Angeles for a five-week engagement of Culture Clash in Bordertown. The show, presented by the Mark Taper Forum but presented at the Actors' Gang Theatre, ends its scheduled run July 11. Performances began June 11.

Directed by Sam Woodhouse, Culture Clash in Bordertown is produced by the Taper's Latino Theatre Initiative, directors Luis Alfaro and Diane Rodriguez, in association with San Diego Repertory Theatre, where the show premiered last year.

The three members of Culture Clash -- Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza -- interviewed approximately 100 people representing many cultures and communities of northern Mexico and southern California for the show. The real characters that sprung out of these interviews are interwoven with fictional ones in this satirical investigation of the borders that shape our lives.

The trio's best-known work, Radio Mambo, had several regional outings, as well as a well-received Off-Broadway stint. Other pieces have included A Bowl of Beings, Carpa Clash and the Aristophanes adaptation, The Birds.

The Actors' Gang is located at 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. Tickets are available through the Center Theatre box office (located in the Ahmanson Theatre) or by calling (213) 628- 2772. The deaf community should call TDD (213) 680-4017.

The will-call window and box office at Actors' Gang, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood, will open 90 minutes before each intermissionless performance.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
and David Lefkowitz