All-Star "Casablanca" Reading Postponed to October

By Andrew Gans
April 20, 2005

The all-star reading of "Casablanca" — scheduled for May 1 at California's Pantages Theatre — has been postponed to Oct. 2.

Due to changing production schedules of some of the reading's stars, the event has been postponed until Oct. 2. David Michaels, Director of Special Events and Public Relations, said in a statement, "The Actors' Fund is very confident of the success of this future production due to the support we have already received from a dedicated cast, crew, production team and audience given the impressive advance ticket sales. We look forward to bringing the community a top rate production with remarkable talent as previously experienced in our productions of 'All About Eve' and 'Sunset Boulevard'."

The reading of the landmark Warner Bros. screenplay — adapted by David Rambo — will benefit the Actors' Fund of America. "Casablanca" follows acclaimed readings of "All About Eve" and "Sunset Boulevard." Peter Hunt is scheduled to direct the reading of the new stage take on the screenplay by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch.

Those lined up to participate include Hal Sparks (as Jan Brandel), Rene Auberjonois (as Berger), Bruce Davison (as Emil) Andre De Shields (as Sam), Dan Castellaneta (as Ugarte), Sir Ben Kingsley (as Louie Renault), Theodore Bikel (as Carl), James Cromwell (as Major Strasser), Edward Hermann (as Signor Ferrari) and Jennifer Tilly (as Yvonne).

The Morocco-set story of "Casablanca" follows the chance meeting of an American exile night club owner and his former love at the titular gateway city during World War II. The film — starring Bogart and Ingrid Bergman — won 1944 Academy Awards for Best Director (Michael Curtiz), Best Picture (Hal B. Wallis) and Best Writing (Epstein, Epstein and Koch).

The Actors' Fund of America is the only national non-profit organization that provides for the social welfare of all entertainment professionals. For more information, visit www.actorsfund.org.