Playwright Barbara Lebow is preparing her latest play, Cobb County Stories, an oral history of the Marietta, Georgia area, for a workshop production May 31 to June 2 at Theatre in the Square in Marietta.

The theatre says the production is designed to open dialog between groups in the "affluent community, seemingly peaceful on the surface, [that] was deeply divided in the summer of 1993 by a debate over family values and artistic expression."

It's the second play written by Lebow during her residency at the theatre, where she's working under a TCG/PEW Charitable Trust grant. The first play, The Empress of Eden premiered in 1995. Her other plays include A Shayna Maidel and Tiny Tim Is Dead.

For Cobb County Stories, Lebow interviewed people from all walks of life in Cobb County -- old-timers, newcomers, farmers, religious leaders, working people and more -- and has quilted together their stories for this play.

Audience members are invited to stay after the performance and talk with the actors, playwright, and each other. Admission is free. For information: (770) 422-8369.