The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, which helped launch South Coast Repertory's Pacific Playwrights Festival in 1998 with a two-year $175,000 grant, has announced a three-year $300,000 grant to support the next three annual festivals. The 3rd Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF), which runs June 5-25, will include workshop productions and staged readings as well as the mainstage production of The Education of Randy Newman, which runs May 28 through July 2.

In related news, SCR announced that Isaac, a new play by David Schulner, will be read on the mainstage Jan. 31 at 7:30 PM. SCR-commissioned playwright Craig Lucas directs. The play is the third of five readings in SCR's 1999-2000 NewSCRipts Series. Tickets are available for $8 through the SCR box office at (714) 708-5555 and will also be sold at the door until curtain time.

Isaac is a re-imagining of the Old Testament story of Sarah, Abraham and their son Isaac as seen through the eyes of a young boy. Inspired by the writings of Elie Wiesel and ancient interpretations of the bible, the play asks provocative questions about faith, loyalty and love.

SCR is located at 655 Town Center Drive in South Coast Mall.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent