"My First Time is comprised of slice-of-life monologues from different people regarding their first sexual experiences," explains Dempster, who is also directing the production and serves as executive director of the theater company.

"It's a comedy, but it's also very poignant, about an experience that everyone has gone through, but rarely talks about."

"My First Time" ran off-Broadway for more than two years before closing earlier this year. It is being produced in conjunction with the Palace Theater and features Danbury residents Shawn Brown, Jackie Decho-Holm and Kristin Hoose, along with Ben Rosenbaum of Bethel.

"Live arts is something we don't get enough of in Danbury," says Hoose, who plays Woman No. 2 in the production. "This show is really going to wow the city, and the Palace is an exquisite venue. Plus, it's the cheapest ticket in town."

Hoose, who grew up in New Milford, is no virgin to the theater. Since 2002 she has produced, and/or performed in productions for the Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, and has sat on its board of directors since 2005. Having worked with Dempster previously, she was eager to be affiliated with TheStage.

"This (theater company) is something that Danbury has been lacking," she says, "and I believe that TheStage will continue to produce wonderful shows. I've always wanted to work with Alicia with her in the director's chair, but what really got me about this production is that all my friends would be interested in coming to see it. It's heartwarming and touching."

TheStage is the first year-round theater company to surface in Danbury in more than five years. Modeled after Chicago's acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company, which was co-founded in 1974 by "CSI: NY" star Gary Sinise, TheStage seeks to work with a group of core performers familiar with a variety of disciplines. In addition, the group is seeking studio space to conduct classes for both children and adults, as well as a camp for kids.

"I think the opportunity for young people to do theater is very important," says Dempster, who is also the mother of three school-age children. "Theater teaches teamwork, memorization and public speaking -- skills that you need the rest of your life."

And Dempster knows what she's talking about. Her father was chairman of the theater department at the University of Pittsburgh, a role that exposed his daughter to the stage at a young age.

"There is nothing like sitting and watching a stage performance," she says. "It is a very unique experience -- to see a story so compelling that it can't be replicated on film or television."