TheaterWorks of Hartford, CT, opens the regional theatre premiere of Snakebit, the play by actor-cum-dramatist David Marshall Grant, June 9.

The staging helmed by Rob Ruggiero is called the "regional theatre" premiere, although the salty comedy had its West Coast premiere in May at Los Angeles' Coast Playhouse.

The play got national attention when Naked Angels presented a production in November 1998 at the Grove Street Theatre to good reviews. It was extended to December and then transferred to Off-Broadway's Century Center March 1, 1999, continuing to Aug. 1.

Snakebit concerns three friends facing a crossroads in their lives and friendships. One is a self-centered actor (Mark Deklin) allowing his career to overrun his marriage; another, Michael (Harry Bouvy), is a passive-aggressive gay friend still smarting over his last relationship. We also meet the neglected wife (Melinda Wade) and the new boyfriend (Christopher Drescher) of Michael's ex.

Hartford designers are Michael Schweikardt (set), John Lasiter (lighting), Laurie Churba (costumes) and Perchik Miller (sound). As an actor, author Grant is known for his stage role as Joe Pitt in Broadway's Angels in America, and as a recurring character in ABC's "thirtysomething."

Tickets are $20-$35. TheaterWorks is at 233 Pearl Street in downtown Hartford. For information, call (860) 527-7838.

-- By Kenneth Jones