Spring's the time for budding playwrights

For 20 years, Long Beach Playhouse has been showcasing new playwrights in its New Works Festival. On the last Saturday of March, April, May, and June, a staged reading of a full-length play is presented with a discussion afterward. Eighteen of the New Works have subsequently been given full productions at the Playhouse. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is suggested. A discussion follows the performance. This Saturday, The Old Bird by Lynn Wells Nelson will be staged at 2 pm.