Continuing their tradition as crucial presenters of new work, The Alabama Shakespeare Festival will present the world premieres of Romulus Linney's adaptation of Ernest Gaines' novel, "A Lesson Before Dying" and Regina Taylor's A Night in Tunisia.

A Lesson Before Dying tells of a young man's struggle to come to terms with the oppression and bigotry that have ruled his life, and to die with dignity. Lesson will play Jan. 21 - Feb. 20, 2000. Linney's 30-plus plays include The Sorrows Of Frederick, Holy Ghosts, The Love Suicide At Schofield Barracks, Spain, April Snow< Three Poets, Childe Byron, 2 and Just Folks. Linney's adaptation and direction of his 1962 novel, "Heathen Valley," won the National Critics Award and was selected for the 1987-88 edition of "Best Plays."

The ASF will also present the world premiere of the latest play by Regina (Man, Woman, Dinosaur) Taylor entitled, A Night in Tunisia. Along with her playwriting resume, Taylor spends much of time acting in television shows, like "I'll Fly Away" and "Law & Order". Tunisia is described as a "remarkable portrait of four African-American women, with wit, sass, and eloquence to spare." A Night in Tunisia will play May 26 - July 22, 2000.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival is the fifth largest Shakespeare festival in the world. Located in Montgomery, where it serves as the State Theatre of Alabama as well, ASF is dedicated to presenting the plays of William Shakespeare, developing new polays through the Southern Writer's Project and educating students through both an Master of Fine Arts/Professional Actor Training Program and youth programs like YOUTHeatre and SchoolFest.

-- By Sean McGrath