The Actor's Studio continues their month-long series of Group Theatre readings May 2 with Melvin Levy's Gold Eagle Guy. By May 17, the Studio will have read each of the 23 plays the Group produced during its existence.

After their success with Men in White, the Group spent freely in producing Gold Eagle Guy in 1935. J. Edward Bromberg reportedly gave a bravura performance in the lead role of Guy Button, a ruthless sailor who jumps ship in 1862 San Francisco. The McTeague-like story takes him to the top of the shipping business before he and his business are symbolically crushed in the great 1906 earthquake.

The show was well-reviewed but poorly attended and closed at the Morosco Theatre in early 1935 after 65 performances. The cast included Luther Adler, Elia Kazan, Bobby Lewis, Sanford Meisner, Clifford Odets, and one Jules Garfield who would later gain movie fame under the name of John. Lee Strasberg directed.

A spokesman at the Actor's Studio said it was their "philosophy" not to reveal the cast of the reading beforehand. The reading begins at 7 PM at the Studio, at 432 W. 44th St. To make a reservation , call (212) 757-2467.

-- By Robert Simonson