As comic-actor-playwright-director Steve Stajich says, “Ah, summer time. To many it means hot dogs, lemonade, picnics… and of course two-act dramas about gender and power in the work place.”

He’s talking about the premiere of HOSTAGES,” which he wrote and is directing, on Saturday, September 10, at the air conditioned Ruskin Group Studio Theater. It will run with shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. every weekend through October 2nd.

Stajich says, “Those that follow my e-mails on theater projects will know that with each new play I always say, ‘This is the best cast I’ve ever worked with…’ and that’s because it’s always somehow oddly true. This is a dynamite group of six female actors and I am hopeful you will be able to come and see their work and enjoy this new play that addresses so many things that are happening right now everywhere.”

The “dynamite group of six female actors” includes Heather Ankeny, Bernadette Birkett, Lola Davison, Rachel Hardisty, Mona Ibrahim and Deanna Watkins. In HOSTAGES, They deal with “secrets, lies and business as usual.”

The Ruskin Group Theater is located at 3000 Airport Avenue in Santa Monica, across the street from and west of the Santa Monica Airport
terminal. Seating is extremely limited, so Stajich is “encouraging reservations. Tickets are a modest $10 with all funds going to encourage the Studio new works development program. I hope you’ll all be able to
join us for an invigorating evening of theater.”