LOS ANGELES -- Remember the Aesop fable in which a swarm of wasps became so attracted to the sweetness of honey that the pot became a trap?

The fable serves as the theme of The Honey Pot, the drama by Kristina DeMori which will have its world premiere at the Santa Monica Playhouse on May 15. Bruce Whitney directs for producer Farrell Hirsch.

DeMori plays Jerry, a naive young waitress who works at The Honey Pot, a bar in a small northwestern town called Paradise. Life is pretty much routine for the denizens of the joint, until a sexy and dangerous young stranger named Ritchie makes a play for Jerry. "He offers to take her away from the circular trap of disappointment and addiction that is The Honey Pot," said a company spokesperson. "Is his a true heart or does he represent a cruel trap for Jerry?"

The other cast members include Denise Askew, Tara Chocol, Hugh Dane, Joe Ochman, Diane Perell, Craig Vignolle and Danny Wantland.

At The Other Space at the Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St. $15; students & seniors $10. Performances are Fri. & Sat. at 8 PM. Call (213) 660- 8587. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent