an oath that they will deny their men sex until they sign a peace treaty.

Apparently, the urge to procreate is greater than that to exterminate, so the men on both sides reluctantly give in and make peace. Incidentally, the women have as much trouble with abstaining from intimacy as their husbands.

Considering the already mature story line, it comes as no surprise that the actual play written by Germanie Greer is full of raunchy dialogue and suggestive situations.

Accordingly, one can repeatedly hear the entire Federal Communications Commission enforced vocabulary as well as observe some unorthodox ways to operate traditional Hustler, Inc. merchandise.

Nevertheless, the play is definitely not intended to be sexually enticing, since its comic characteristics and sincere anti-war message clearly dominate.

Although the white plastic chairs and the smell of food coming from the restaurant next door somewhat spoiled the otherwise quite authentic atmosphere, the people behind the play did a great job transforming and decorating the place into a Greek amphitheater and taking the audience on a journey to ancient Athens.

“Lysistrata – The Sex Strike” is directed and produced by Irena Stepic, who also plays the female leading role of Lysistrata, and Ana Divac, who plays Myrrhine — the leader of a rival nation.

Also producing is Sasha Rendulic. Rendulic and Stepic met on a film set in their native Yugoslavia during the Serbian/Croatian conflict, before they got married and moved to the United States. Their war experiences are well reflected and give the play a lot of credibility.

Musical director of “Lysistrata” is Santa Monica College student Mark Governor. He started going to SMC about five years ago, when it still offered the “World Music” course.

‘World Music’ had a direct influence in how I started orchestrating my scores,” said Governor.

Currently an English major taking mainly writing classes, Mark became involved in the project because of costume designer Sanja Hays who he had know from earlier productions.

“I had mentioned to Sanja that as the anniversary of 9/11 was approaching, I was looking for something to work on that had a strong anti-war message, and she told me that her friends were mounting a production of ‘Lysistrata.”

The music he wrote for the play includes compositions of many different genres including modern disco, commercial pop rock, and dreamy ballades.

Overall, “Lysistrata: The Sex Strike” is provocatively entertaiing and definitely funny. The play comprises an experienced cast of promising actors and actresses that perform a very well rehearsed anti-war comedy.

Although there are only a few weak moments, the video-taped epilogue that shows random women giving their opinion about depriving men of sex in order to put an end to all wars is definitely too long and should be omitted, as it only ridicules the generally well-expressed support for peace.

“Lysistrata: The Sex Strike” is playing at Stage Theatre Center in Hollywood and will continue running Thursday through Sunday at 8 p.m. until October 13.