Gevirtzman, a local high school English teacher and seasoned playwright, has put years of observations and empathy into the hour-long script.  Much of the dialogue reflects the kinds of comments young people routinely make to each other in conversation or online in chat rooms.

Cisneros’ cast, all teens and young adults from Los Angeles and Orange County, are: Preston Blankenship (18, Los Angeles) Andrew Cano (19, Anaheim), Caitlyn Nichole Cappadona (18, La Mirada), Shannon Dodson (19 Fullerton), Samantha Gibney (21, Torrance), Alanna Hanly (18, Santa Ana), Zane Paul (14, Cypress), Tori Pflanzer (14, La Mirada), Elena Ross (14, Los Angeles), Lauren Tallichet (16, Newport Beach) Genesis Torres (20, La Mirada), Emily Schluper (13, Rancho Palos Verdes), Amber Watson (22, Los Angeles), Brielle Wood (14, Long Beach), Brennan Zoellner (18, La Mirada).

Each year, Phantom Projects Theatre Group mounts a season of plays at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and touring productions to middle and high schools in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.  The fully staged productions in La Mirada include interpretations of classic work currently on school curricula as well as one original script, by La Mirada High School teacher Bruce Gevirtzman, which addresses issues of immediate concern to teenagers.  The touring productions are remountings of issue-oriented plays by Gevirtzman that were introduced in previous seasons.  Among these are No Way to Treat A Lady, about teen pregnancy, and The Center of the Universe, about prejudice and tolerance.

Following Out, Out, Brief Candle on May 16, the 2012-13 Season will be the seventh annual Young Artist Project on August 3, 2013. The Young Artist Project will offer an evening of one-acts written, directed and starring some of Southern California’s brightest young talent.  Earlier productions of this season were Much Ado About Nothing and Little Women: The Broadway Musical.

Tickets to Out, Out, Brief Candle are available by calling 562-944-9801 or going online to phantomprojects.com. Tickets prices for the 10 a.m. performance are $7, and for the 7 p.m. performance, $7 for middle school students, $12 for high school students, and $20 for adults. For additional information call 714-690-2900, go online to www.PhantomProjects.com, or visit Facebook.com/PhantomProjects.