Jim Wren directs the production, produced by Kids With Guns, Mike Klar and Ben Cikanek, at the DR2 Theatre off Union Square. In The Blue Martini, a group of Chicago twenty-somethings struggle to figure out the meaning of love, sex and life. "Alcohol entangles a sexy and cynical bar critic, a repressed cute girl, a computer-game freak, and a churchgoing, bartending, handsome dude," according to production notes. "There's also the requisite gay roommate who sells 'pleasure items' to women at Tupperware-style parties. Warning: this production contains adult language, adult situations and adult props."

Featured in the cast are Michael Ferrell, John Peery, Candace Thompson, Josh Tyson and Emily Vitrano. Rachel Bauder is the stage manager.

Playwright Michael Ferrell is an alumnus of Chicago's Improv Olympic and appeared in plays and short films in Chicago before traveling the country with the sketch comedy group "Shtick People." He also wrote and appeared in The Blue Martini and Spring and Jake, both at the Under St. Mark's Theater. He recently produced his own showcase called Life in Short: Seven Short Plays By Michael Ferrell at Center Stage New York.

Director Jim Wren serves as artistic/managing director of the University of North Carolina Greensboro's Summer Repertory Theatre, where he has produced nearly 50 plays in the past 12 years. In 2001 he received the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for Excellence in Theatre Education.

Performances play Aug. 12 at 9:15 PM, Aug. 13 at 1 PM, Aug. 16 at 8:30 PM, Aug. 17 at 10 PM, Aug. 18 at 4 PM, Aug. 22 at 6 PM.

The DR2 is at 103 East 15th Street and Union Square East.

All tickets are $15. For reservations and information call (212) 279-4488 or visit www.FringeNYC.org.

For more information visit www.kidswithguns.com.