Just a year ago, Broadway seemed to be a David Hare’s personal villa. After all, he had three productions open there in one season -- Amy’s View, The Blue Room and Via Dolorosa and a fourth held over from the previous season (The Judas Kiss. Hare hasn’t reached Broadway this season, but his Amy’s View is now getting its West Coast premiere, courtesy of South Coast Repertory. Previews began April 7 for an opening April 14 and a run through May 14.

Mark Rucker directs a cast that includes Lars Carlson, Richard Doyle, Patricia Fraser, Christina Haag, Don Reilly, and Linda Thorson. Thorson plays Esme Allen, a grande dame of the London stage who is as intensely protective of her career's high principles as she is of her daughter (played by Haag). When the girl falls in love with a man the mother feels is beneath her -- he's in the movie business! -- Esme steps in to try and take control, only to have her hands full when the girl rebels. Complicating matters, Esme soon finds her pockets empty owing to an insurance scam that leaves her in perpetual debt.

Thorson last worked at the SCR 19 years ago in Molnar's The Play's the Thing. Haag is making her SCR debut. Her southern California credits include Uncle Vanya at the Geffen Playhouse, The Real Thing at the Old Globe and Pasadena Playhouse, and The Misanthrope at the La Jolla Playhouse.

South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive. For tickets and information call (714) 708- 5555.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
and David Lefkowitz