The Charles MacArthur Award-winning playwright has fashioned a "romantic comedy about three hip thirty-somethings who manipulate an ever-changing triangle of friendship, love and Clumber Spaniels," according to Signature. "Modern day San Francisco is the setting for this roundelay of sexual shenanigans where Republican affiliations are anathema, homosexuality is passé and an ancient volume of Proust holds the key to all mysteries."

"Signature did a reading of an early draft of Proust about four years ago," explained artistic director Eric Schaeffer, in production notes. "We did that one week and a reading of Norman's In the Garden the next. It was a toss-up which one to produce first. The time seemed right for In the Garden , though. It ended up winning the MacArthur Award and getting produced around the country so I think we made the right decision. But we've been waiting for a chance to get back to Fallen from Proust ever since. We could all use a good comedy right now."

Allen added, "People hear the title and they think they're in for something heavy, but in fact the title just refers to a prop that becomes central to the plot. This is a play that's full of twists and turns, enough that we can't even offer a synopsis without giving away some of the fun. People who have seen my earlier work, like In the Garden or Nijinsky's Last Dance might be expecting something a little darker. There's certainly meat on the bones of this piece, and we get some political mileage out of a gay Republican character but this is — first, last and always — a good time."

The company of Fallen From Proust includes Damon Boggess, playing book editor Gary; Michael Glenn, as Gary's roommate Roger; Hope Lambert, playing Gary's girlfriend; and Daniel Frith as Alan.

The creative team includes set designer James Kronzer, costume designer Jenn Miller, lighting designer Jason H. Thompson and sound designer Brendon Vierra. Previews begin Jan. 11, 2005 toward a press opening of Jan. 16.

Tickets are $25 to $39 and are available by calling tickets.com at (800) 955-5566 or (703) 218-6500 and can also be purchased online at www.signature-theatre.org.

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Playwright Allen's upcoming work at Signature Theatre includes the musical Nevermore , based on the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe, with music by Matt Conner. Allen is the founder and director of the Signature in the Schools program, presenting an annual world premiere play on a historic subject in collaboration with a cast and crew of local high school students.