The new works in 2005 will be Garbo in My Eyes by Mark Eisman and Slabtown by Steven Cole Hughes.

Mark Eisman's play Shove was read at the Denver Center's TheatreFest in 2001. Steven Cole Hughes is new to the Denver Center as a playwright but is a member of the DCTC acting company, appearing recently in The Misanthrope and Blue/Orange, and a graduate of The National Theatre Conservatory.

WorkingStages was developed by Jackson last season "to identify dramatic properties deemed worthy of concrete, active development in professional workshops," according to DCTC. "These workshops culminate in fully rehearsed and staged public performances, followed by a revision period if deemed necessary, followed by further performances. The workshops are professionally staffed and employ the same caliber of actors and directors utilized by the DCTC in subscription season productions."

Garbo, of Garbo in My Eyes (directed by Nagle Jackson April 27-May 6), is the seeing-eye dog of history professor Brew Pendeloe, who has been blind since birth. According to DCTC, "Following the accidental death of Garbo, Brew begins to see visions, visions of things he has never seen before. The origin of these visions is slowly revealed, effecting his life and those of the two women in his life. A touching comedic fantasy exploring the depth of our relationships with the animals we love, this new play, filled with wonderful plot twists, is as warmhearted as they come."

Slabtown (directed by Jamie Horton May 5-14) is set in Slabtown, Colorado, soon to be renamed Leadville. According to DCTC, "When two men vie for the dubious affections of Messy Bessy, the last remaining 'working girl' in town, mayhem erupts, though hope is spied with the arrival of Irish Mary, fresh (?) from the brothels of Denver. This rambunctious farce by actor-writer Steven Cole Hughes soars on wildly inventive language and a collection of unforgettable characters. A slice of Colorado history before moral values spoiled all the fun." The inaugural workshop production of the WorkingStages program last spring was The Ice-Breaker by David Rambo.

Tickets to the workshop performances of Garbo in My Eyes and Slabtown will be available first to subscribers when they renew their subscriptions for the 2005-06 season and then open to the public if seats are still available. WorkingStages performances are free but reservations are required.

More ticket information will be available in April at (303) 893-4100 or at www.denvercenter.org.