Latino comedy troupe Culture Clash continues celebrating its 15th anniversary with a return of perhaps its most popular show, Radio Mambo: Culture Clash Invades Miami. The comedy, which played in Washington state in April now comes to Washington DC, Nov. 5-Jan. 2, 2000. Radio Mambo officially opens Nov. 12 at Arena Stage's Kreeger space.

The trio -- Richard Montoya, Ricardo Salinas and Herbert Siguenza -- have become widely known for their witty vaudeville-style comedy. Radio Mambo, based on more than 70 interviews with an eclectic group of Miami residents, has been produced in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, where a reviewer in the LA Weekly wrote "...[the show] demonstrates that this tropical metropolis is not just the city of Cuban emigres and elderly Jews, but is also the home of vibrant African American, Haitian, Caribbean and gay populations..."

The show received three L.A. Ovation Award nominations for its run and a Bessie Award from Dance Theatre Workshop in New York for its off Broadway run.

Designing the current mounting are Elena Prietto (costumes), Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz (lighting), Mark Friedman (sound) and cast-member Siguenza (set).

Other pieces by the 15-year-old Culture Clash have included The Mission, A Bowl of Beings and an adaptation of Aristophanes' The Birds. Their latest, Nuyorican Stories: Culture Clash in the City, played at New York City's INTAR in September. For tickets and information on Radio Mambo at Arena Stage's Kreeger Theatre call (202) 488-3300.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
and David Lefkowitz