Lee Blessing's Down the Road, a study of the way the mass media relates to a serial killer, will open Sept. 25 at the Fremont Centre Theatre in S. Pasadena for a five-week run through Oct. 31.

Blessing deals with two married journalists whose interviews with a convicted serial killer begin to put a strain on their relationship. Assigned to write a story from the killer's perspective, they find themselves conflicted by the public's fascination with killing and evil -- and by their own moral ambivalence toward the perversely charming and manipulative killer.

The journalists are portrayed by Cheryl McWilliams and Dick DeCoit. Both actors were recently seen at West Coast Ensemble, where they appeared in Three In the Back, Two in the Head. Donald Sage Mackay portrays the killer. He is presently appearinin Peter Hall's repertory productions of Measure For Measure and A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Ahmanson.

Richard Large directs Down the Road, which started previews Sept. 17. Large won a 1998 Drama-Logue Award for directing The Cave at Raven Playhouse.

The Fremont Centre Theatre is located at 1000 Fremont Ave. For tickets and information, call (626) 441-5977 or (888) 441- 5979. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent