Walnut Street Theatre's Independence Studio on 3 has announced its 1999 season with productions including Jean Genet's The Maids, a world premiere by Philadelphia, PA, actor/playwright Will Stutts and David Hare's Skylight.

The Maids opens the season, running Jan. 5-17, 1999. This allegorical story of two servants who use their imaginations to escape their lives will feature African American actors Forrest McClendon and Kirk Wendell Brown and will be directed by Deborah Block (Shylock).

A chronicle of Francisco Goya's "Naked Maja," Portrait of A Nude, by Laura Shamas follows, playing Feb. 2-14, 1999. Frank Burd directs.

Lyle Kessler's drama, Orphans will run March 2-14, 1999. William Roudebush directs this tale of two Philadelphia brothers who kidnap a rich man only to have him turn the tables on them.

Will Stutts will direct his own play, Oscar Wilde's Lover, March 30-April 11, 1999. This world premiere production tells of playwright Wilde's relationship with his lover Lord Alfred Douglas, which led to Wilde's destruction and -- possibly -- his immortality. The tale was told twice in New York last season, on Broadway in The Judas Kiss and Off-Broadway in Gross Indecency. The Studio's season will close with Hare's Skylight, April 27-May 9, 1999. This drama explores the relationship of a businessman and his mistress who meet again three years after they've parted. No director has yet been announced.

For tickets and information, call (215) 574-3550, ext. 4.

-- By Christine Ehren