LAWRENCEVILLE — Less than a year after receiving top billing at last year's prestigious Humana Festival of New American Plays, Aurora Theatre will stage the second production of note for "Sirens," a new comedy by Deborah Zoe Laufer, from Jan. 13 through Feb. 6.

"Sirens" is the story of Sam and Rose who, after 25 years, find the passion in their marriage has ebbed. The cure is a romantic cruise to the mythical Greek Isles. That is, until washed up songwriter Sam hears his siren calling and chucks himself overboard. Then things start to really get bizarre. Whether it's a siren playing solitaire, Sam's all female Facebook list, or a 60-year-old man with the looks and charm of a Lothario, quirkiness abounds.

In this clever, fast-paced comedy about finding one's muse, "Sirens" is sure to fight the postholiday winter doldrums with the healing power of laughter.

"Sirens" marks the first appearance in an Aurora production for star of stage and screen, Atlanta-based actor Steve Coulter (film and television, "Prison Break," "Army Wives," "Madea's Family Reunion") as Sam Abrams. Aurora Theatre audiences may remember him from his spellbinding production of "Underneath the Lintel" in 2005.

A pair of very talented actresses returns to the Aurora stage after long absences: Mary Lynn Owens ("Life Is a Dream") as Rose Adelle Abrams and Kate Donadio ("Wait Until Dark," "Chicago," "Enchanted April") as the siren.

Making his Aurora Theatre debut is newcomer Lowery Brown, who will be featured later this season in "Academy."

Deborah Zoe Laufer is fast becoming a leading voice in modern American comedy. In recent seasons, her plays have been lauded by Atlanta audiences and critics alike with Horizon Theatre's production of "End Days" and Jewish Theatre of the South's production of "The Last Schwartz."

Laufer is a 2009 recipient of the Helen Merrill Playwriting award. "Sirens" received its world premiere at The Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival in February 2010. "End Days" was awarded The American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg citation and is listed in the Burns Mantle Yearbook as one of the best regional plays of 2008.

"The Last Schwartz" was published in Women Playwrights, the Best Plays of 2003. It premiered at Florida Stage where it was nominated for a Carbonell Award for Best New Work. Deborah is a two-time recipient of the LeCompte du Nouy grant from The Lincoln Center Foundation.

Her plays have been developed at The Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference, Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Ojai Playwrights Conference, The Missoula Colony, The Cherry Lane Alternative, The Dramatists Guild Fellowship Program, New Georges, The Lark Play Development Center, and Geva Theatre Center.

"I am excited to be cultivating relationships with nationally renowned playwrights like Deborah Zoe Laufer. Bringing exciting new work to North Georgia is what Aurora Theatre strives to do," said Anthony Rodriguez, producing artistic director of Aurora Theatre, about the playwright and producing new plays.

"This play speaks to a huge slice of our population, from young people relating to Facebook, to middle-aged couples struggling with a tired career or suffering marriage. I invite everyone to set sail on a mini-vacation of love and laughter."