When award-winning director Lisa James signed on to stage Justin Tanner's comedy, Bitter Women, it was the first time in L.A. a Tanner play has been directed by someone other than Tanner himself. James must be doing something right because the play, which opened Oct. 8 and was to run through Nov. 23 was first extended to Dec. 12 and then again, to Dec. 19.

The cast includes Julia Campbell, Susan Dalian, Matthew Glave, Jenny O'Hara, Dana Schwartz and Sarah Zinsser.

Tanner has had a dozen plays produced at the CAST, among them The Mom, Zombie Attack and Party Mix. The CAST received a special L.A. Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award in 1994 for presenting eight of Tanner's plays in repertory.

James has won an award from LADCC herself for Palladium is Moving. She received an L.A. Weekly Award for her direction of Heartstopper.

The CAST is located at 804 N. El Centro Ave. in Hollywood. For tickets and information call (323) 462-0265. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
& David Lefkowitz