Playwright’s Festival Opens New Doors

When it comes to theater, do you have any adventure in your soul?

If so, check out the Spokane Civic Theatre’s Playwright’s Forum Festival, which runs the next two weekends.

Adventure, because these five plays, selected from 30 entries, have never been performed before. The audience never knows exactly what to expect, which is part of the appeal. You might find a piece of experimental theater; you might find a straightforward family drama; or you might find an out-and-out comedy.

Or you might find all of those. Each piece is only one act, averaging 30 minutes or so, so you never have to wait long for something new. They are presented on a rotating basis, so that if you go two consecutive nights, you will see all five plays.

The contest is nationwide, but this year all of the winning entries are from the Northwest. Here are the winners, along with the performance dates:

“Deliver Us Not (or Birth, Where is Thy Sting),” by Lee Howard and Greg Gamble of Federal Way. A comedy in which three fetuses debate whether there is life after birth. Directed by Maynard Villers. Runs Friday, Sunday and June 28.

“Bitterroot,” by Zan Agzigian of Spokane and Victor A. Charlo of Dixon, Mont. A late-1800s drama about two Native Americans and a confrontation with an Irish settler. Directed by Maynard Villers. Runs Friday, Sunday and June 28.

“Berkeley,” by Zan Agzigian and Victor A. Charlo. A drama about a protest rally. Directed by Tom Armitage. Runs Friday, Sunday and June 28.

“One Family,” by Barbara Bailey of Spokane. A drama about what constitutes a family. Directed by Scott Dunckley. Runs Saturday and June 27, 29.

“Dinner at Seven,” by Jon McBride of Missoula. A comedy about a dinner party that goes horribly wrong. Directed by Tom Armitage. Saturday and June 27, 29.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: The Playwright’s Forum Festival will be staged Friday through Sunday and June 27-29 at the Firth Chew Studio Theatre, at the Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m., Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 each night. For reservations, call 325-2507.