Directed by Stephen Brackett (Passing Strange assistant director), the cast features John Patrick Doherty, Laura Ramadei, Brendan Spieth and Robbie Collier Sublett (Other Desert Cities). Performances continue through July 22.

Here's how Lesser America bills the show: "Set in s(mall)-town California, American River is the story of two childhood friends and sometime sweethearts living on rock and roll and dreams of making it big. But after Conner checks into rehab, they learn there's more than a bag of meth standing between them and the American dream. In this darkly comic, eruptive drama, Conner and Liz struggle to overcome their failed expectations and unhealed wounds, discovering the limitations of their ambitions for escape."

Lesser America is described as "a pop theatre ensemble of renegade artists dedicated to smart, quality entertainment." Past productions include Jonathan Blitstein's Squealer and Too Much Too Soon, a series of six short plays with writing by Nikole Beckwith, Dean Imperial, Nick Jones, Melissa Ross, Emily Schwend and Ken Urban. 

Playwright Auger is also the author of Poop – A True Story (FringeNYC). Her work has been developed or produced by Primary Stages, Westside Theatre, Miranda Theatre, Horsetrade Theatre Co, Kraine Theatre, NY International Fringe Festival, Riot Act, Sugar Space and Highways Performance Complex, among others.

Theater for the New City is located at 155 First Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets. For more information and tickets, visit LesserAmerica.com.