A Henley human-nature study

Beth Henley, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for best American play for “Crimes of the Heart,” continues her explorations into human nature in her new comedy, “Ridiculous Fraud,” about three brothers bonded by love and jealousy. As they struggle with various familial obligations, the patriarch of their once-aristocratic Southern family is serving time in the penitentiary, convicted of a white-collar crime. Sharon Ott directs this West Coast premiere.

“Ridiculous Fraud,” South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Opens 8 p.m. Friday. $28 to $60. (714) 708-5555. www.scr.org.

* Runs 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays, 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; ends Nov. 19.