Plays are often not thought of as literature, and typically given short shrift by book stores and literary critics. Reader's Theatre, a project fostered by Works Production Group, is hoping to alter that perception. The series features free readings of plays in highly public forums (as opposed to the usual locales of play readings: rehearsal halls and the stages of theatres on their off nights).
The next reading in the program will take place at the Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Square (Broadway and 66th Street). The text is David Henry Hwang's latest, Trying to Find Chinatown. Hwang will introduce the actors and discuss the play afterwards. No actors have been named.
Hwang is the author of two Tony-nomination plays: 1988's M. Butterfly and 1998's Golden Child. Recently, he wrote a new book for Flower Drum Song.
Admission is free. The event takes place at 7 PM. The next edition of Reader's Theatre will be on Oct. 11.
—By Robert Simonson
