Playwrights of the Western World

Two local playfests raise hopes of unsung dramatists

Comments (0) By Robrt L. Pela Thursday, Jul 16 1998

A pair of one-acts fill the second evening: We Read Different Books by Monica Long Ross, a comedy about a doomed marriage, and Linda DeArmond's Requiem, about a woman trying to shake her past. Staged readings, July 17.

Mother Lolita is celebrated off-Broadway author Guillermo Reyes' newest comedy, set in post-earthquake Los Angeles. Staged reading, July 18.

Two more one-acts close the series: Black Woman's Blues, a play with music, is Gus Edwards' second entry in the festival, and The Raising of the Black Flag by well-known actor/writer/director Michael Grady.

Phoenix Theatre's 1998 New Works Festival presents rehearsed and staged readings of four plays over a three-week period. Plays will be read at the company's Little Theatre facility, and audience discussion will follow each reading.

Obscure Rumors by Abelardo Estorino, Cuba's foremost playwright, examines the life of 19th-century poet Jose Jacinto Milanes. Rehearsed reading, July 22 at 8 p.m.

Never Fall in Love With a Fireman by Frawley Becker is a romantic comedy about two men who meet and fall in love. Rehearsed reading, July 25 at 8 p.m.

The Robert Hornblower Show by the festival's resident playwright and co-producer, Richard Warren, concerns television journalism and tabloid TV. Directed by series co-producer Mark De Michele. Two staged readings: August 1 at 8 p.m.; August 2 at 2 p.m.

Mustard Seed by Kenneth Heaton, about a barroom visitation by a long-dead country singer, is the festival's final piece. Two staged readings: August 8 at 8 p.m.; August 9 at 2 p.m.