Ed Fuentes

Guy Zimmerman during rehearsals for "A Thousand Words," a 2008 Padua Playwrights production.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Padua Playwrights will open 2009 with hefty reflection, examining sex, God and death in “The Neo-Sacred Revival: 3 Short Plays for the Modern Soul."

The Arts District based theater company's new production was grown in-house. It was developed by Padua Playwrights’ ongoing Playwriting Workshop, led by Artistic Director Guy Zimmerman, and the group's new Actors’ Lab, led by Gill Gayle.

The show opens Friday, January 23rd, and runs until Febuary 15th, 2009 at Art Share L.A. (801 E. 4th Place). In the adjoining Art Share Gallery, painter Matt Aston will exhibit work inspired by the text of “Acts of Love” (written by Sharon Yablon and directed by Gray Palmer); “Tiny Trumpets” (written by Heidi Darchuk and directed by Gill Gayle); and Hammers (written and directed by Guy Zimmerman).

Padua Playwrights ongoing work is designed to continue the collaborative spirit of the Arts District. The group's last production, “A Thousand Words,” garnered good reviews from the L.A. Times. Importantly, the use of Art Share’s space provides an extended use of neighborhood resources and is one of the many projects is considered a seed for an Arts District Community Art Center.

"The Neo-Sacred Revival" / January 23rd through February 15th, 2009. Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 8:00 p.m. / Call (213) 625-1766 for reservations / Tickets are $20 / More information at http://www.paduaplaywrights.net/