Edward Hermann will play Signor Ferrari and Michael York will play Berger in the April 3 reading at California's Pantages Theatre. Those roles were created on film by, respectively, Sydney Greenstreet and John Qualen. Hermann and York join the previously announced Theodore Bikel (as Carl), James Cromwell (as Major Strasser) and Jennifer Tilly (as Yvonne). Tommy Lee Jones and Eric Szmanda, who were originally announced to be part of the reading, have withdrawn from the cast.
The 4 PM 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 will direct the reading of the new stage take on the screenplay by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch.
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).
Edward Hermann won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his 1997 appearance on "The Practice." He was also Emmy-nominated for his work in "Eleanor and Franklin," "Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years" and "St. Elsewhere." His numerous screen credits include "The Aviator," "The Emperor's Club," "Critical Care," "What Love Sees," "Born Yesterday," "Overboard," "The Lost Boys," "Compromising Positions," "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Annie" and "Reds."
Michael York has been seen on Broadway in Out Cry, Bent, The Little Prince and the Aviator, The Crucible and Someone Who'll Watch Over Me. Among his screen credits are "Austin Powers: Goldmember," "Borstal Boy," "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," "Lovers and Liars," "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," "Dark Planet," "Wide Sargasso Sea," "The Wanderer," "The White Lions," "Final Assignment," "The Island of Dr. Moreau," "Logan's Run," "Murder on the Orient Express," "Lost Horizon," "Cabaret," "The Strange Affair" and "Red and Blue." 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.
The Pantages Theater is located at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard. Tickets, priced $28 $153, will be available through The Actors’ Fund by calling (323) 933 9244, ext. 54 or 35. Sponsorship/VIP packages, priced $250-$25,000, are also available.
