International City Theatre loses its Loot Sept. 24. Joe Orton's famed black comedy, which opened Sept. 1, inaugurated the company's newly refurbished Center Theatre.

The loot of the farce's title is a stash of cash acquired in a bank robbery by friends Hal and Dennis. In order to protect himself from a snooping detective, Hal plots the perfect hiding place for his ill-gotten gains -- his mother's coffin. Orton is best known for his farcical comedies, Entertaining Mr. Sloane and What the Butler Saw, and for being murdered in 1967 by his lover at the height of his career.

Jessica Kubzansky directs a cast that includes J. Todd Adams, Matt Gourley, John Jabaly, Molly Schaffer, Edmund L. Shaff and Tom Shelton.

Center Theatre is located at 300 E. Ocean Blvd. For tickets and information call (562) 436-4610.

* The Center Theatre has been completely refurbished to the tune of half a million dollars by the City of Long Beach, which is funding the effort out of its Parking Surcharge Fund, which was set up to assist with capital projects at the Performing Arts Center and the Convention Center. $1 out of each $7 parking fee charged for events at the centers goes directly into the fund. By opening night, Center Theatre sported new carpets, seats, lighting and sound. A gala opening reception to celebrate the renovation was celebrated Sept. 1, immediately prior to the performance of Loot.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
and Christine Ehren