Several play readings on tap this weekend in Capital Region

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. » This is the time of year for those who enjoy new plays. Both Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany and Local Actors Guild of Saratoga Springs are having play reading festivals this weekend.

Between the two theater company’s there will be seven new plays available to audiences. Actors Guild is running over two weekends, Cap Rep is Friday through Monday only.

The plays at Capital Rep are presented at Capital Rep Theatre in Albany and Proctors in Schenectady.

• “Showpony” by Judith Leora. 7:30 p.m. Friday. It’s about the politics of power when an all-women advertising company is bought by a Fortune 500 company.

• “Your Best One” by Meridith Friedman 7:30 Saturday. A serious health issue brings ex-partners Richard and David back together. It’s to the delight of some and to the dismay of others.

• “The Marble Muse” by Diane Baia Hale. 5 p.m. Sunday at GE Theatre in Proctors, Schenectady. A young American sculptress creates a statue of famed writer Nathaniel Hawthorne in Rome. A married man, a single woman and a jealous rival make for a tense drama.

• “Red Maple: A Love Story for Empty Nesters” 7:30 p.m. Monday A dinner party between two empty nest couple where secrets are revealed and comedy ensues.

• Also available New Voices, readings of plays by young playwrights. noon Sunday, at Cap Rep.

• “The First 15,” readings of the first 15 pages of worthy plays that were runner-ups to the four winners. Noon Saturday at Capital Rep.

The following plays presented by Local Actors Guild of Saratoga are at the Saratoga Arts Center, Broadway, Saratoga Springs, are:

• “Our Time” by Ken Levine. Noon Sunday, Oct. 21, and 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. A comedy about writing comedy. Four young Baby Boomers try to break into the world of television sit-com writing during the mid-1970s.

• “Strong St.” by JJ Buechner. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. Oct. 28. Set in Schenectady it’s about Mary, her two sisters, and their children dealing with the issues of marriage, divorce, birth and death – as well as making the perfect spaghetti sauce.

• ”Affected” by Christine Asselin. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. A comedic drama about adult sibling relationships after the loss of parents. A complicated situation is made more complex when one sibling has mental health issues.