LOS ANGELES -- One of the unsung successes of the local small-theatre scene is My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the one-woman show written by and starring Nia Vardalos. Vardalos, a Second City alumna, deals in a warm, comic fashion with growing up in a close, insular Greek family -- which she challenges when she decides to marry a non-Orthodox outsider.

First developed in the HBO Workshop, the 45-minute monologue was tested in Chicago, Toronto and Europe before opening last August at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Hollywood.

A favorable reception led to additional bookings at other venues, always on a mid-week, short-term basis. Now the show is not only about to open a five-week stand at the Globe Theatre but has become the basis of a feature film that is scheduled to go into production in April. MPH Entertainment is presently scouting locations in Los Angeles and Chicago.

Vardalos, who will play the lead in the film, describes her screenplay as "an extension of the play. It has the same characters but the story is twisted a little."

The show runs Jan. 15-Feb. 21 at the Globe Theatre, 1107 N. Kings Road, W. Hollywood. Performances are Thurs. at 8 PM; and Fri. and Sat. at 8 and 9.30 PM. Opening night tickets are $20; all other nights are $15. For tickets, call Showtixx, (888) 566-8499. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent