Playwright Richard Greenberg writes a world premiere for South Coast Repertory every three years, from 1991's The Extra Man to 1994's Night and Her Stars to Three Days of Rain in 1997. Now, in 2000, his Everett Beekin takes its first bow with the Southern California company Sept. 1. Opening is set for Sept. 8 for a run through Oct. 8.

This comic effort from Greenberg traces a family's history in America, from their arrival in the 1940s to the present, where the third generation is attempting to adjust to life in Southern California. Has life gotten better for the family? To one granddaughter, who finds her sister conducting "historic" tours of a new bridge connecting hotels to a new shopping mall, the answer is clear.

Evan Yionoulis directs. She has helmed three Greenberg premieres: Three Days of Rain, The American Plan at Manhattan Theatre Club and The Author's Voice at Ensemble Theatre. Other credits include Reno Once Removed, Wendy MacLeod's The My House Play and the New York Newsday 1995 Oppenheimer Award winner, Why We Have a Body.

Everett Beekin's cast features Jeff Allin (Plenty) as Jack/Bee, Tessa Auberjonois (Trainspotting) as Miri/Laurel, Kandis Chappell (L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award winner for Collected Stories), Nike Doukas as Nell/Anna, Carole Goldman as Ma/Waitress and Adam Scott (Uncle Bob) as Jimmy/Ev.

Designing Everett Beekin are Chris Barreca (sets), Candice Cain (costumes), Donal Holder (lighting) and Mike Yionoulis (music and sound). Tickets are $49-$18. South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For reservations, call (714) 708-5555. South Coast Repertory is on the web at http://www.scr.org.

-- By Christine Ehren