Several chefs prepare new drama menu for PBS

After years of charges that PBS has ignored American drama in favor of
British imports, the tides are turning. This fall will bring a host of dramatic
works, from televised stage productions to cinematic interpretations of
literature to short new plays filmed in high-definition video. What ties
them together is their renewed focus on literature and theater that is distinctly
red, white and blue. Send a transatlantic wire: American drama is back. Instead of entrusting the genre to a single production unit, as it did
with American Playhouse in 1982-94, PBS is now buying dramas from
several production units, each with its own approach.