LONG BEACH - "Our Lady of 121st Street," a widely popular dark comedy that gives a contemporary voice to an eternal problem, is now being presented at Cal State Long Beach.In "Our Lady of 121st Street," the body of Sister Rose has been stolen from the Ortiz Funeral Home. While waiting for the body of their beloved community activist to be returned, a group of New York City misfits tries to find a channel for their grief, checkered pasts and uncertain futures. Emotions are running high, tensions are at the breaking point and people are trying to deal with their feelings for Sister Rose - as well as each other - as best they can. "Our Lady of 121st Street" originally premiered in 2003 at New York's LAByrinth Theater Company, and was directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. The play is being produced locally by the Cal State Long Beach University Players. It is being directed by Edgar Landa. "[The play is] about redemption, forgiveness and acceptance - themes that are always relevant regardless of the time," Landa said. Landa said he hopes audiences will find a piece of themselves in one or more of the 12 characters. "I hope they see…a recognition of the uniqueness of their own faults, vices and imperfections as human beings," he said. "Our Lady of 121st Street" will run until Dec. 5 in the Players Theatre on the CSULB South Campus. Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 for seniors and students with ID. For tickets and information, call (562) 985-5526 or visit www.csulb.edu/depts/theatre.

********** Published: November 18, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 31