The Harbor Theatre Company (Stuart Warmflash, artistic director) presents the premiere of Making Peter Pope by Edmund De Santis at the 30th Street Theatre, 259 West 30th Street (bet. 7th & 8th Avenues). The limited Off Broadway engagement began on Friday, February 12th, 1999. Monday, February 15th at 8:00 pm is the Opening/Benefit.

Making Peter Pope is an edgy comedy about life, love, growing up, getting it up, keeping it up and getting it on with a hunky Italian. Combine a gay son, his crazy lesbian sister, a grief-stricken father, a nacho-munching stepmother (a faded showgirl), a pot smoking stepsister and her homophobic husband together with the hunky Italian boyfriend and you have Making Peter Pope, a play about trying to find love in the most unexpected places.

Directed by Derek Todd the cast includes Michael Anderson, Harry Bouvy, Joanne Dorian, Carol Hache, Eric Morace, Alysia Reiner and Fred Velde. Set design is by Charles Townsend Witteich Jr.; costumes by Martha Bromelmeier with sound and lighting design by Matt Berman.

Edmund De Santis has written many plays, including the award-winning Recensio, Thinking and Other Positions and American Subways to name a few. They have been produced in New York, Los Angeles and at various other cities throughout the United States. Derek Todd has directed numerous productions in New York including A Flea in Her Ear, River Views and Vinegar Tom by Caryl Churchill.

Over three years ago a group of writers, under the artistic leadership of Stuart Warmflash, began a theatre workshop that would focus on the written word. Its purpose was to provide a safe haven for a few dedicated playwrights to express and refine their personal visions. Soon, an acting company was formed to support these projects in development. The significant artistic growth and enthusiastic public response eventually led to the formation of the non-profit company, which is now incorporated as The Harbor Theatre Company, Inc. Through the weekly workshops, it has led to the ongoing development of over two dozen new works and has produced annual public presentations with the latest done on Theatre Row.

Performances of Making Peter Pope at the 30th Street Theatre are: Thursday - Saturday at 8:00 pm; Sunday at 2:00 pm. The opening/benefit performance is on Monday 2/15 at 8:00 pm and another benefit for Callen Lorde will be this Wednesday, 2/18. The play continues through March 6th. Regular tickets are $12. TDF Vouchers are accepted. For reservations call (212) 714-5050.

Tidbits:

• When Tongue of a Bird moves from the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles to the Public Theater in New York the great Cherry Jones will continue to star in this production. If you've never seen Cherry perform, you're in for a treat. She's simply brilliant in anything she does.

• The American Theatre Wing and the League of American Theatres and Producers have reached an agreement which will cover the next five years over the telecast of the Tony Awards. Now all they need is a venue since Radio City Music hall is set for restoration...a host too.

• Clever ad in the Times this Valentines Day for Chicago ... sultry photo of Ute Lemper with the headline "Be Mine" ... anytime!

• Clever ad in the Times this Valentines Day for Cabaret ... sultry photo of Alan Cumming with the headline "Be Mine" ... I'll think about it!

• "Sell everything but your dreams to get a ticket!" says the London News of the World about The Iceman Cometh. It opens March 29th at the Brooks Atkinson. Tickets are anywhere from $50. to $100. and go on sale March 8th.

• Peter Pan flies into the cavernous Gershwin Theater beginning April 7th. Tickets now on sale at Ticket Master (212) 307-4100. Note early curtain times for evening performances. Cathy Rigby stars as the boy who won't grow up and has garnered rave reviews for this production.

• Attention must be paid ... Death of a Salesman starring Brian Dennehy received universal rave reviews. Now, just try and get a ticket. It's at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

• Band in Berlin (A New Musical) previews this Friday at 8 pm at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Tickets at Tele-Charge 212-239-6200.

• Night Must Fall starring Matthew Broderick at the Lyceum Theatre is receiving crazy word of mouth ... me thinks it's a doozie!

Happy Valentines Day to all you lovers and other strangers!

See you Thursday!