LOS ANGELES -- Black magic at a magic club.

Murder At the Mystic Palace, a new comedy by Jeannine Anderson, has its world premiere at the Excalibur Theatre in Studio City Aug. 21, where it is a visiting production.

"The story deals with goings-on at a certain famous private magic club in Hollywood where people suddenly begin to expire: the apparent method poison, the apparent motive vengeance," said a company spokesperson.

Anderson is an actress and working magician who has performed her act up and down the West Coast. She also works at a certain famous private magic club in Hollywood.

The play is a sequel to a 1997 production,The Mystic Palace, which Anderson co-wrote with Kate Ward.Marcia Rodd directs a cast that includes Anderson, Ward, Clement Blake, Larry Eastman, Allen Lulu, Peter Meahan, Frances Peach, Yvonne Perez, Rob Reesman, Jennifer Rhodes and Pat Thomas.

Through Sept. 27 at the Excalibur, 12655 Ventura Blvd, 2nd fl, Studio City. Perfs are Fri & Sat at 8 PM; Sun at 7 PM. Tickets are $15. Call (323) 782-5542.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent