FARMINGTON -- Lisa Loomer's award-winning comedy "Expecting Isabel" will be performed at University of Maine at Farmington at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23-25 and 2 p.m. Oct. 26, at the UMF Alumni Theater.

The play, about a contemporary couple's attempts to have a child, is under the direction of Peter Simmel. It features 22 students playing more than 30 roles.

"The UMF theater program gives our students, many without any previous stage experience, the opportunity to be innovative, develop communication skills and grow in self-confidence," said Simmel.

Winner of the American Theatre Critics Association Award for Best New Play 1999, "Expecting Isabel" also received the Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays award for 1998 and the Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play.

A playwright, screenwriter, actress and comedian, Loomer co-wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award-winning "Girl Interrupted."

Theatre UMF, the University of Maine at Farmington student theater organization, provides studies and practical application experience in the performance, technical, theory, history and criticism areas of theater.

Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for non-UMF students, $3.50 for seniors and free for UMF students with an I.D. This presentation's content is of an adult nature and suitable for mature audiences only.

Tickets are available at the time of the performance and can be reserved by calling the Theatre UMF box office at 778-7465.