“Heart Song,” a new comedy/drama, has been extended by popular demand until Aug. 25 at the Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave. (at Normandie) in Los Angeles.

Written by Stephen Sachs (“Bakersfield Mist” and “Cyrano”) and directed by Shirley Jo Finney (“In the Red and Brown Water”), the play stars Pamela Dunlap, Tamlyn Tomita and Juanita Jennings. Internationally renowned flamenco dancer Maria “Cha Cha” Bermudez served as choreographer.

Rochelle, a middle-aged Jewish woman in New York City, is in the middle of a life crisis. Lost and alone after the death of her mother, her life is suddenly changed when she takes a flamenco class with other middle-aged women. The class and its unforgettable circle of women – all shapes, sizes and colors – lead Rochelle on a journey of sisterhood, faith and discovery of her own deep inner voice.

“There is a reason why this is called ‘Heart Song’ and why there’s a Japanese American woman in it,” says Tomita, who plays Tina, Rochelle’s masseuse, who persuades her to take the class.

“Heart Song” marks Tomita’s return to the Fountain Theatre; she starred in its very first production, “Winter Crane,” in 1991 and has since appeared in numerous plays, TV shows and movies.

“Heart Song” has received rave reviews. Broadway World called it “a celebration of life that you cannot afford to miss,” Stage Scene LA described it as “beautifully written, powerfully acted,” and The Los Angeles Post said it was “rich in intensity, graced with history and splashed with some good comedy.”

Schedule of Performances

Friday and Saturday, July 5-6, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 7 — sold out

Thursday to Saturday, July 11-13, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 14 — sold out

Saturday, Aug. 3, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 4, at 2 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 7-8, at 8 p.m.

Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 15-17, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 18, at 2 p.m.

Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 22-24, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 25, at 2 p.m.

The Fountain Theatre is also L.A.’s foremost presenter of flamenco. Its monthly “Forever Flamenco!” series was created by Co-artistic Director Deborah Lawlor, who acts as consultant on this production.

“This is the perfect opportunity to marry the Fountain’s two audiences,” says Lawlor. “With ‘Heart Song,’ we celebrate both our dedication to creating and producing new plays, as well as our longtime passion and commitment to the art of flamenco.”

Upcoming programs include Mizuho Sato’s flamenco class on Friday, July 19, at 11 a.m. and a solo guitar concert by Jose Tanaka, plus a screening of “Kumpania,” an award-winning documentary about L.A. flamenco, on Friday, July 19, at 8 p.m.

Sato will perform with Gerardo Morales y Companeros on Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21, at 8 p.m.; Tanaka will join the group on Saturday only.

For reservations or more information, call (323) 663-1525 or visit http://fountaintheatre.com.

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