Atlanta's Actor's Express hoped to be Burning Blue this summer, but when the producing rights became unavailable, the company turned to Craig Lucas and his Dying Gaul. The hit Off-Broadway play will run at the Express July 6-Aug. 12 with an opening set for July 9.

Grounded in deceit and sex, The Dying Gaul's love triangle is set between screenwriter Robert, his studio boss Jeffrey, and Jeffrey's wife, Elaine. When Robert and Jeffrey begin an affair based around getting the young writer's script made into a movie, Elaine decides not to ignore it, but instead torture Robert with a twisted game in an internet chat room. Both a playwright and scriptwriter, Lucas' works include God's Heart, Prelude to a Kiss, "Longtime Companion" and "Reckless."

Nancy Keystone directs. Other Express credits include The Misanthrope, Hamlet and last season's A Doll's House.

Tickets are $25-$20 with preview tickets at $10 and the opening night gala at $65. For reservations, call (404) 607-SHOW.

* Next season at Actor's Express will include Tony Kushner's The Illusion (Sept. 14-28), Joe Orton's Loot (Nov. 9-Dec. 23), Suzan Lori-Parks' The America Play (Jan. 11-Feb. 24), Maria Irene Fornes' Fefu and Her Friends (March 8-April 21) and Charles Ludlam's The Mystery of Irma Vep (May 3-June 29).

-- By Christine Ehren