David Rabe's Those the River Keeps, a drama many consider the prequel to the playwright's much-acclaimed Hurly Burly, will inaugurate Third Street Theatre's new season on May 14, running through June 27. Barry Primus directs.

Set in Los Angeles, Those the River Keeps deals with an ex-New York mobster trying to make a new life for himself. Problems arise when a menacing person from his past life arrives and pressures him to return to the violent life he's been trying to leave behind.

Featured in the cast are James DiStefano, Gretchen German, Cathy Giannone and George Russo.

Primus is an instructor at the American Film Institute as well as a member and moderator at the Actors's Studio. He was an original member of the Lincoln Center Repertory Company under the direction of Elia Kazan.

The Third Street Theatre is at 8140 W. Third St. Call (323) 660-8587 for reservations or (323) 852-0615 for information. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent