Founded in 1924, the Cherry Lane Theatre will celebrate its 75th anniversary with an evening of performances by theatre alumni. Aimed at helping to raise funds for Cherry Lane Alternative's Mentor Project 2000, the monies will help partner world renowned playwrights with emerging writers .
At the March 13 event, the Cherry Lane Theatre will also honor playwrights Charles Fuller, A.R. Gurney, Craig Lucas, Alfred Uhry, Wendy Wasserstein and Michael Weller.
"There will be a 6:30-7:30 PM cocktail reception," a production source told Playbill On-Line, "followed by performances in a variety of scenes and monologues and songs by theatre alumni."
Directed by Eduardo Machado, the Cherry Lane alumni will be performing scenes and/or musical numbers from their respective shows, or simply sharing memories. They will include Lewis Black, Maxwell Caulfield, Tyne Daly, Semina De Laurentis, Olympia Dukakis, Kim Hunter, Heather Macrae, Richard Maltby & David Shire, Rue McClanahan, Don Scardino, Mark Setlock and Barbara Walsh and others. Judith Ivey will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies.
The Cherry Lane Alternative is a not-for profit organization founded in 1998. The Alternative is dedicated to the development of the American theatre artist through a variety of programs, including the two-year-old Mentor Project. Prices will be $250 in the main space, or $100 in the Cherry Lane Alternative space adjoining, where the performances will be simulcast. A reception with the artists and honorees will follow. The Cherry Lane theatre is located at 39 Commerce Street. For more information or reservations, please call (212) 989-2159.
-- By Murdoch McBride