Philadelphia's Arden Theatre Company will inaugurate its Independence Foundation New Play Showcase with marital discord. More specifically, Dennis Smeal's evening of intertwined monologues about a dying marriage, Exit Wounds, will have an open reading Dec. 9.

First penned as a solo, Exit Wounds has been expanded into a 90 minute, four-character work. Arden Theatre producing artistic director Terrence J. Nolen will direct the 7 PM reading, which features Megan Bellwoar, Mary Martello, Ian Merrill Peakes and Greg Wood.

Smeal's Change Partners and Dance was fully produced by Arden during the company's 1992-93 season. Other works by Smeal include When The Jacaranda Blooms and Hearts.

Sponsored by the Independence Foundation and AT&T, Arden's reading series intends to do two more workshops/readings this season, though according to an Arden spokesperson, those plays have not yet been chosen.

For free reservations to the reading of Exit Wounds call (215) 922 1122. -- By David Lefkowitz