JoBeth Williams directs the world premiere of Erika Schickel's Wild Amerika, the final play of L.A. Theatre Works' continuing The Play's the Thing live radio play series, running July 9-12.

Wild Amerika, a comedy about mating, monogamy and motherhood, stars the author (Schickel) and Paul Mercier. Schickel, who has appeared numerous times at Theatre Works and Off-Broadway in Top Girls and Force of Habit, presents her writing there for the first time.

Mercier has won two L.A. Drama-Logue Awards for Don Juan in Hell and A Midsummer's Night Dream.

Williams, as well as her occasional theatrical excursions, has directed an Academy Award-nominated film for cable T.V.'s Showtime. Williams is best known for her roles in movies such as Kramer vs. Kramer, The Big Chill, and Poltergeist.

Running July 9-12 at Doubletree Guest Suites in Santa Monica, CA, the comedy is being recorded for future broadcast on KCRW 89.9 FM. The series "The Play's The Thing," has been produced in association with Santa Monica College's National Public Radio station KCRW since 1990. Winner of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's Gold & Silver Awards, the series is devoted "to the discovery and presentation of new plays and new interpretations of classic works."

For tickets ($23-$26) and information on these 8 PM performances at Doubletree Guest Suites in Santa Monica, call L.A. Theatre Works at (310) 827-0889.

--By David Lefkowitz and Sean McGrath