Blueberry Pond Arts Center will premiere its inaugural mainstage production, the gripping drama OFFSPRING by Jimmy Barden, at Fleetwood Stage (FS) beginning September 16. FS, a resident company in New Rochelle, will host the production while Blueberry Pond completes renovations of its permanent theatre space in Ossining.

OFFSPRING examines themes of racial conflict, love and jealousy, obsession, and "the white man's burden." A wealthy white woman pursues an heir to carry on her family's philanthropic work in the African-American community, with unforeseen results.

The author, Pleasantville's Jimmy Barden, is an editor on the New York Times whose work has been seen at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and in Manhattan, where he was a Critics' Choice winner at this year's Samuel French Short Play Festival. The wealthy Grace will be played by Gayle Hudson, who has appeared with the Berkshire Theatre Festival and the Boston Chamber Repertory Theatre. Ms. Hudson lives in Waccabuc.

Bruce Barton, playing Grace's tormented brother, has been seen at Mill Mountain Theater and in the acclaimed Ibsen series at Manhattan's Century Center. George Gaffney, as the Black militant by whom Grace hopes to have a child, has been featured on the WB's DAWSON'S CREEK, and originated the lead role in CHOCOLATE ON THE OUTSIDE at the Piccolo Spoleto Theater Festival. Joan Baker, as his upwardly mobile Black lover, is an OOBR award-winner featured in John Singleton's SHAFT. Mr. Barton lives in Jersey City; Mr. Gaffney resides in Manhattan and Ms. Baker in Brooklyn.

Directing is Charles Turner, whose credits include REMEMBRANCE with Roscoe Lee Browne for the NY Shakespeare Festival. Also an actor, Mr. Turner was recently seen as Gloucester in Yale Rep's production of KING LEAR. Mr. Turner lives in Manhattan.

OFFSPRING will be presented for three weeks through October 3, with five weekly performances Thursday through Sunday. Ticket information and performance times may be obtained by calling the Blueberry Pond Arts Center, 914 923-3530. Blueberry will continue its first full season at its own theatre, Shine House, in Ossining's Cedar Lane Park. The second production will be EDEN'S END by Jean-Paul DeVellard, the group's president. Blueberry Pond is the only professional theatre company in Westchester whose season consists solely of members' original work.