Directed by Frog and Peach artistic director Lynnea Benson, the cast will include Tony winner Len Cariou, Richard Kind, Susie Essman, Darrell Hammond, Scott Adsit, Maulik Pancholy and Alan Zweibel. The reading will also feature Amy Frances Quint as Viola, Kaitlin Large as Olivia, Ryan Tramont as Orsino, Brando Boniver as Antonio, Stephen Siano as Valentine and Jonathan Reed Wexler as The Captain.
An original score by Ian McDonald will be performed live by McDonald. Original songs are by Ted Zurkowski.
"The heat is on in the seaside town of Illyria, where the fun-loving Sir Toby, the diabolical Maria and prankster-in-training Fabian (Richard Kind, Alan Zewiber and Susie Essman of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm') join forces with wit extraordinaire Feste (Darrell Hammond) against the prudish snob Malvolio (Tony Award winner Len Cariou) in Shakespeare's most hilarious play," according to press notes. "Scott Adsit (of '30 Rock') plays Sir Andrew, Maulik Pancholy (also of '30 Rock') plays Sebastian and comedian Alan Zweibel plays Fabian."
Running time is approximately 80 minutes with an intermission.
The evening benefits Frog and Peach Theatre Company's upcoming production of Hamlet, to be presented Oct. 17-Nov. 10 at The West End Theatre, 263 W. 86th Street. The gala performance begins at 7:30 PM, with cocktails available at 6:45 PM. The Players Club is located at 16 Gramercy Park South. Doors open at 6:45 PM. Tickets are $99 in advance and $149 at the door. To order, visit www.smarttix.com or call (212) 868-4444.
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Frog & Peach Theatre Company (www.frogandpeachtheatre.org), founded in 1996 by members of the Actors Studio, brings "modern audiences all the excitement and intrigue of Shakespeare’s plays in an accessible, entertaining way."