Playwrights' Arena has continued its decade-long tradition of introducing original plays by local writers. This summer, for example, it has premiered two new works: Bill and Eddie by Robert Harders, and Who's Afraid of Edward Albee? by Michael Kearns.

Harders' Bill and Eddie, directed by artistic director Jon Lawrence Rivera, is a three-hander starring Jeff Daurey, Kearns and Fred Russell. It runs through Aug. 14 at Playwrights' Arena, 5262 W. Pico Blvd. For tickets and information call (323) 960-7756.

Albee opened recently at Glaxa Studios, 3707 Sunset Blvd. in Silverlake. A bitchy backstage comedy about four men performing in Who's Afraid of Virgina Wolf?, it stars Noel Alumit, Dean Howell, Rob Sullivan and Scott Utley. The director is Mark Bringelson. For tickets and information call (323) 960-7756.

Harders is a founding member of the Los Angeles Playwrights Group, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary with a festival of short works mounted at the Jewel Box Theatre in Hollywood. Running through August 15 under the umbrella title of Thrills, Chills, Spills and Kills, the festival includes original one- acts, monologues and short scenes. The Jewel Box is located at 1951-1959 Cahuenga Blvd. in Hollywood. For tickets and information call (323) 469-4343.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent