ON THEATER: Another world premiere at Playhouse

Back-to-back world premieres are a proud achievement for any theater group, and the Laguna Playhouse is no exception.

Next week, the playhouse will raise the curtain on “Alexandros,” a Latin-flavored comedy by award-winning playwright Melinda Lopez. It comes on the heels of Catherine Butterfield’s impressive “Brownstone,” which the author directed.

“Alexandros” is set 34 years ago in Miami at the encroaching 75th birthday of Abulela, the matriarch of a Cuban exile family. Among the guests are her much-married daughter Maritza, arriving from Texas with her teenage daughter Marty, and Tio, her live-at-home son.

The title character, Alexandros, is an ill-tempered canine who becomes the catalyst for an emotional meltdown in which, according to the playwright, “closet doors open, truths tumble out, and the bonds of family love are reasserted.”

Lopez, whose drama “Sonia Flew” was staged at the playhouse during the 2006-07 season, sees her comedy as touching a familiar chord.

“The family dynamics of the play are universal,” she asserts. “We know that family. We have all experienced those feelings in some way.

“And,” she adds, “it is so much fun to have people arguing about Nixon and the impeachment trials, especially for those who can’t always remember that time period in our history. I feel like history is always present and, because this is a comedy, I have fun at the expense of history.”

The cast of “Alexandros” includes Saundra Santiago (“Miami Vice,” “The Sopranos”) and Katharine Luckinbill (granddaughter of Lucille Ball and daughter of Lucie Arnaz). Also aboard are Kevin Symons, Chaz Mena and Maria Cellario.

Playwright Lopez was the first recipient of the Charlotte Woolard Award, given by the Kennedy Center to a “promising new voice in American theater.” She was a 2003 recipient of a Mass Cultural Council grand and a resident playwright at the Huntington Theater. Her “Sonia Flew” won the Elliot Norton award for “best new play” and the IRENE (Independent Reviewers of New England) award for best play and best production.

Directing “Alexandros,” which was commissioned by the playhouse, is David Ellenstein.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “Alexandros”

WHEN: Gala opening May 31; 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. weekend matinees until June 29; 2 p.m. matinees Thursday and June 12; and 7 p.m. June 22

WHERE: The Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road

HOW MUCH: $25- $65

INFO: (949) 497-ARTS or www.lagunaplayhouse.com

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.