DOWNTOWN : ‘And It Never Rains’: Tales of the City

Ji Moon had always wanted to do some acting, but never thought he would find the right part. Now, Moon says his first role might end up being his most fulfilling.

Moon is one of 19 actors in a community play that looks at Los Angeles through the eyes of area residents. The subject matter ranges from how they arrived in the city to their views of the spring riots.

The play, “And It Never Rains,” is the brainchild of Jox Fox, former media relations director for First African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Fox, 32, said he put the play together to help inform people who lived outside riot-affected areas about life there.

“It really hit me that people can live their lives and not have any idea of what’s going on around the corner,” Fox said. “I thought that something needed to be done to show what people were really thinking and feeling about everything.”

A $3,000 grant from the city and donations from other businesses and organizations helped fund the project. It is also sponsored by First AME, El Rescate and the Korean Youth Center.

The play is set in Los Angeles, with the stage floor displaying a map of the city stretching from Watts to the San Fernando Valley. All the characters remain on stage throughout the play, interacting and telling their individual stories.

The cast reflects the city’s diversity. There is a Latina artistic director, a Korean-American choreographer and an African-American musical director. The performers are Asian, African-American, Latino and Anglo. About half of the performers have never acted.

Moon, 20, a La Mirada resident, portrays a Korean man in his mid-30s who emigrated to Los Angeles years ago and opened his own store, which was looted in the civil unrest. At times, Moon’s character hits too close to home.

“When I see myself saying word for word what my father or uncle would have said it’s kind of scary,” Moon said. “But it almost confirms that this is a play that really tells what people are thinking.”

“And It Never Rains” will be performed Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Los Angeles Theater Center, 514 S. Spring St. Admission is $25 for the first night, with proceeds benefiting the L.A. Arts Recovery Fund. A $10 donation is requested to attend the remaining performances, all of which begin at 8 p.m.

Information: (213) 969-4621.