In rehearsal for Playread Series presentation of “Third” at Melbourne Civic Theatre.

By PAM HARBAUGH

Melbourne Civic Theatre presents another in its acclaimed Playread Series at 2 p.m. Saturday (tomorrow, June 20) with the public reading of “Third.”

“Third” was the final play written by the award-winning late playwright, Wendy Wassterstein. Like others in Ms. Wasserstein’s canon, it surveys the landscape of the contemporary woman. It is smart and didactic as well as emotionally wrought.

The play concerns Laurie Jameson, a raging feminist professor at a private New England college. She believes a jock student named “Third” has plagiarized a paper on “King Lear” and she struggles about turning him in. Yes, there is more. She also deals with her ailing father, allowing themes in “Lear” to be woven throughout, resulting in a highly layered play.

I encourage you to start going to MCT’s Playread Series. They are fun, engaging, stimulating and very well done.

SIDE O’ GRITS: Playread Series presents “Third” 2 p.m. Sat., June 20, at Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave. Suggested donation is $5 or more to help pay royalties, turn on the lights and keep audience in air conditioned comfort. Call 321-723-6935 or visit www.mymct.org.