Playwrights festival includes 11 plays

Lineup: Scripts include stories about an immigrant family, a reluctant faith healer and comic playlets about modern women.

In other news from Theatre Hopkins, a non-subscription offering has been added to the season. "The Leading Lady," a new play by Baltimore writer Daniel Mark Epstein, will be presented in the Merrick Barn, on the Homewood campus of Johns Hopkins University, June 18-July 3. These dates overlap the final season production, "Pericles," but that Shakespearean drama will be staged in two other venues -- Shriver Hall, also on the Homewood campus, June 12 and 13, and the grounds of Evergreen House, 4545 N. Charles St., June 19-27.

Meanwhile, "Kiss of the Spider Woman" continues in the Merrick Barn at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2: 15 p.m. Sundays, through May 16. Tickets are $10 and $12. Call 410-516-7159.

`Sound of Music' added

The Mechanic Theatre has also added a special attraction to its just-announced 1999-2000 season. The current Broadway revival of "The Sound of Music," starring Richard Chamberlain, will be co-presented at the Lyric Opera House next spring. Dates and ticket information will be available shortly.