LOS ANGELES -- The Met Theatre unveils its new resident acting company in a mini-festival of one-act plays starting previews Aug. 17 and opening Aug. 22. MET a magic and More MET a magic are separate bills of short works written by reWrights, a writing group affiliated with the Met.

Each bill will feature five new one-acts. "A somewhat festive atmosphere is to be accomplished by the interjection of company members' special talents in the interludes between pieces," said a company spokesperson. "Maybe a dancer, maybe an opera singer. The audience will thus be given something to watch and listen to during set changes, rather than merely vegetate, making for a better entertainment experience. This is part of where the 'magic' comes in, and what will distinguish it from other one-act festivals."

MET a magic, running Thursday and Saturday 8 PM, will include plays by Josh Schiowitz, Abraham Amedeo, Mark Levine and Alex Drenman.

More MET a magic will feature plays by Grant Gottschall, Aimee Young, Ralph Tropf, Sarah Phillips and Denise Devin.

Performances are 8 PM Friday and 7 PM Sunday at the Met Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave. The festival closes Sept. 27. Tickets are $15 each program or $25 for both. Call (213) 957-1152. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent