Hairy palms, blindness, trips to hell: Adults will tell children any number of messed-up lies to keep them in line, especially when it comes to sex. Liberian comedian Sia Amma's new play What Mama Said About "Down There" investigates the largely misguided tales mothers share with daughters. The one-woman show's many characters reveal that it's difficult for moms to talk to their girls about the facts of life no matter who (or where) they are. As much as daughters must think their mothers have trouble loosening up and telling the truth because they're African, British, Jewish, Latina, Asian, or of any other culture (Amma includes "Lesbian" and "Valley Girl" on the list), it turns out that everyone's doing it, as the kids say.

The show is part of Amma's long-term project, Global Women Intact, which educates and alerts people to the complex dangers of female genital mutilation. With this play, Amma says, she hopes to further those goals by encouraging more clear communication between women -- so go see it with your mom. Performances begin at 8pm and 7 p.m at Our Little Theater, 287 Ellis (at Taylor), S.F.

Admission is $ 10 $15-25;

call (415) 820-3250

Sia Amma, writer and performer of " What Mama Said About Down There"
Directed by Gloria Weinstock

Our Little Theater 287 Ellis Street (Between Mason/Taylor) San Francisco, CA 94102 Behind the Hilton Hotel Downtown SF (415) 820-3250