Celestial Flesh: A Sacrilegious Comedy, is set in the 1980s, in a downtown Los Angeles church�loosely based on La Placita�declares itself a sanctuary in order to harbor Central American refugees. Inadvertently, a parishioner gets involved in a major cocaine operation�led by a Nicaraguan "contra" based in L.A.�which is helping to fund weapons for the "contras," as well as for gangs in South Central. Within the play, a radical nun and some refugees work on a show about El Salvadoran martyr Archbishop Oscar Romero in spite of increasing threats from an archconservative Cardinal, a CIA-backed drug dealer, and an Central American death squad. Nonetheless, the church's pastor�a renegade priest who is loosely based on the late pastor of La Placita, Father Luis Olivares�along with several refugees, repel a near attack by the U.S. marines and the I.N.S. and take over the church during the play's comically surreal finale.

WHAT: CELESTIAL FLESH: A Sacrilegious Comedy, a world premiere production of a play by critically acclaimed playwright (and CSUN playwriting professor), Rick Mitchell.

WHO: Presented by Urban Ensemble ("an outstanding ensemble," LA Weekly.) Written and directed by Rick Mitchell (critically acclaimed dramatist and CSUN playwriting professor). Play features a professional, all-Latino cast.

WHERE: Raven Playhouse, 5233 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Near Metro station.

WHEN/HOW MUCH: May 12th-June 5th. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8:00p.m.; Sundays, 7:00p.m. Admission: $15.00. Student discounts. For reservations call: (818) 754-1570.