SANTA BARBARA, CA -- The Ensemble Theatre Company, Santa Barbara's longest-running professional resident theatre company, has announced its new season, which kicks off Oct. 9-Nov. 9 with a production of Edward Albee's Pulitzer-winning A Delicate Balance, directed by ETC's artistic director Robert Grande-Weiss.

Balance , recently revived on Broadway to much acclaim ( and a Best Revival Tony Award) in a mounting starring Elaine Stritch, Rosemary Harris, George Grizzard and Mary Beth Hurt, concerns a wealthy but dysfunctional family dealing with their friendly neighbors -- who just won't leave.

Other Albee works include Tiny Alice, The Play About The Baby and The Death of Bessie Smith.

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The other shows on ETC's slate include: The Game of Love and Chance by Marivaux (translated by Stephen Wadsworth); The End of the Day by Jon Robin Baitz; Master Class by Terrence McNally; and Private Lives by Noel Coward. The ETC also announced two new directors to the company for the l998-99 season: Peter Lackner, who will direct the Marivaux play, and Rae Allen, who will direct McNally's work.

Season subscriptions start at $80, with discounts for students, seniors and groups of ten or more. Call (805) 962- 8606.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent