The symposium, which explores "the impressive number of plays presented during the 2008-2009 season," will be held on the fourth floor of Sardi's in Manhattan.

The panel comprises playwright Annie Baker (Body Awareness), Marcia Gay Harden (Veronica in God of Carnage), Condola Rashad (Sophie in Ruined), Geoffrey Rush (King Berenger in Exit the King) and Bill Irwin (Vladimir in Waiting for Godot). Elysa Gardner, theatre critic for USA Today, will moderate the discussion. (Previously announced panelists Bartlett Sher and Pablo Schreiber have withdrawn because of schedule conflicts.)

A sit-down luncheon will kick off the event at 11:45 AM and will be followed by the panel discussion from 1-2:30 PM.

The price for Drama Desk members is $35 and non-member guests $55 (all inclusive), payable by cash or check at the door. There will be a cash bar. Sardi's is located at 234 West 44th Street. Reservations are required by e-mailing [email protected] (include food choice: salmon, chicken or pasta).

* The Drama Desk, organized in 1949, presented its first awards in 1955. It is the only theatre organization whose awards are competitive in the same categories for Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway and not-for-profit theater productions.