The Jewel Box Theatre and Copperview Theatre Company have merged into one company. Under the Jewel Box banner, the combined groups will be housed at 1951-1959 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood's latest theatre complex, which consists of three theatres, two rehearsal spaces and a Cabaret Cafe.

Jewel Box managing director and producer John Lant said, "We are pleased to be moving to larger quarters in Hollywood, as our old location in Toluca Lake was quickly becoming too cramped for our growing company of more than 70 artists in residence."

The Jewel Box's acting wing, the Gemstone Players, is a dues-paying organization with classes in improv, on camera technique, scene study, film production, children's acting, Shakespeare, vocal coaching, dancing and musical theatre.

The Jewel Box is also the home of the Los Angeles Playwrights Group, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary this summer.

The artistic director of the theatre center is veteran character actor Walter Olkewicz.Kristine Conroy, former publicity director for the Copperview Theatre said in a statement, "We are extremely excited about merging our 5-year-old company with the Jewel Box's Gemstone Players. The new center and strong troupe will enable us to keep producing high-quality theatre for the Los Angeles community."

The Jewel Box will premiere Paul Casey's original comedy Your Taxe$ at Work April 10-May 23. SeXXX PlayZ, an evening of spicy one-acts will open on April 24 and run through May 22.

For information and tickets call (323) 469-4343.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent