It's been said that the greatest asset any writer can have is a good story to tell. And self-styled Oxy-Mormon Steven Fales has a helluva story. Born and raised in the Mormon Church, he served as a missionary in Portugal for two years and tried hard to be a good Mormon. But he was increasingly aware of his homosexual nature, and had his first gay experience during his missionary training. Knowing that homosexuality is anathema to his church, he submitted to sessions with a fatuous counselor on how to “go straight,” and was persuaded that marriage to a good Mormon woman would cure him. He duly married and fathered two children, but his sexual nature didn't change, and eventually it led to his excommunication, loss of his job and divorce. He fled to New York City to pursue his dream of a musical comedy career. When that failed to earn enough to pay child support, he became a male escort and turned for a time to drugs. His tale is saved from sensationalism by his passionate sincerity, and he tells it with wit and humanity. His performance is highly entertaining and a brave exercise in self-revelation. Presented by MB Productions and Hudson Theatricals at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; in rep as part of Fales' The Mormon Boy Trilogy: Thurs., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m.; through May 26. (323) 960-4420, plays411.com/mormonboy.

Sun., April 22, 2 p.m.; Thursdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 p.m. Starts: April 22. Continues through May 26, 2012

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