Editor's pick: Three short plays

Free theatre focuses on dramas of youth

Wednesday, August 3, through Sunday, August 7 and Wednesday, August 10 through Sunday, August 14, 7:30 p.m. at The Liberty Theatre, 109 South Main Street, Liberty, NY. Free; reservations suggested. 845/292-3788.

The Liberty Free Theatre continues its tradition of presenting quality free theatre to area audiences with its August production, a trio of short plays called “ The Lives of Young People,” focusing on the trials and tribulations of young people confronted with adult situations.

The fact that there is no charge for admission does not mean that the theatre is skimping on talent. One of the plays, “Betrayed by Everyone,” comes from the pen of Kenneth Lonergan, the author of the screenplay for “You Can Count on Me,” for which he received an Oscar nomination, as well as for “Analyze This,” and “Gangs of New York.” “Dreaming Angel” is by Paul Austin, who has acted and directed both on and Off Broadway and in theatres around the country and whose television credits include “West Wing” and “Law and Order.” Austin is also the director of this production.

“Face Divided,” in which a young married couple faces the consequences of dropping out of school and starting a family, is by Edward Allen Baker. Last season’s audiences will be familiar with Baker’s work from Liberty Free Theatre’s 2004 production of “Rosemary with Ginger,” a searing look at the lives of working class families.

Seth Bridges, Dana Priebe, Cynthia O. Toliver and Richard Traviss are the featured actors. Bridges has appeared with The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. In New York he played Darrell in “The Distance From Here” and Benvolio in “Romeo and Juliet.” Priebe has appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Man of La Mancha.” Toliver is a poet and playwright who has performed in California and New York City. Traviss is a history major at SUNY-Albany and plays in the Liberty basso band, Closet.

In keeping with its policy of “everyone welcome, always” audiences are invited to gather after the performances for food, drink and music.

The evening contains language not suitable for children.