Gay Walch's comedy Heterosexuals in Crisis will have its West Coast premiere Aug. 12 on the mainstage of the Santa Monica Playhouse. An Off-Broadway hit, the play stars five TV names: Nicholas Cascone ("Star Trek"), Dee Freeman ("Seinfeld"), Abner Genece ("Law and Order"), Cathryn de Prume ("Down the Shore") and Monica Lundry ("L.A. Law"). Cascone also directs the show, which will run through Oct. 29.

The story is of two and one half urbanite couples struggling with "marriage, relationships, friendships, parenthood, male sensitivity, self-help, Bergman, pizza and guns."

Heterosexuals in Crisis plays in tandem with the Playhouse's special Twilight Summer production of the musical comedy Cinderella, which runs through Aug. 27. Written by Evelyn Rudie and Chris DeCarlo, the family show's curtain goes up at 6 PM.

The Playhouse's mid-day children's show, Dorothy's Adventures in Oz, continues through Oct. 1.

Santa Monica Playhouse is located at 1211 Fourth Ave. in Santa Monica. For tickets and information call (310) 394-9779 or visit santamonicaplayhouse.com. Tickets can also be purchased via www.seatadvisor.com -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent