Trooperettes, or Little Flock of Songbirds Bucking a Mean Texas Wind, a look at the army wives who live in isolation on military bases, ends its world premiere production Sept. 9 at Los Angeles' Bitter Truth Playhouse. Donna Forman and Joen Nielsen Lewis co-direct.

Stuck on an army base in desolate West Texas, the women at the center of Trooperettes try to cope with life in the military and issues of violence and sacrifice. Most of the women are Texans with one transplanted Bostonian, who struggles hardest to adapt to her new environment.

Playwright John Lisbon Wood won the 2000 Gold Medal of the National Veterans Creative Artists Festival for Seeking the Blue Whale. Other credits include Eyes of the Owl and the Garland Award winner Yohudi's Harmonica.

The Trooperettes are Forman, Tracey Keilly, Nielsen Lewis and Lynddi Scott.

Performances began Aug. 4. Tickets are $15. The Bitter Truth Playhouse is located at 11050 Magnolia Boulevard. For reservations, call (818) 766 9702. — By Christine Ehren