A Roomful of Star Power

How have Polly Bergen, Marge Champion, Betty Garrett, Joan Roberts, Jane White, and Carol Woods enjoyed rehearsals and performances of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Follies? Is Marian Seldes overwhelmed by all the attention she’s receiving for her role in The Play About the Baby? And how does Kathleen Freeman feel about sharing the stage with a bunch of male strippers in The Full Monty? These and other questions may or may not be answered at a luncheon and panel discussion titled “What Becomes a Legend Most?” to be presented by The Drama Desk organization on Thursday, April 19.

“This season has been rich with knockout performances from actresses who know how to seize a stage and stop a show,” says Robert Sandla (executive editor and vice president of Stagebill), co-chair of the panel with Alexis Greene (author of the forthcoming biography of Lucille Lortel). The way Sandla sees it, “These are show-biz veterans who really have been there, done that. As Polly Bergen sings in Follies, they are ‘still here.’ And they are all terrific. So we thought it would be great to do a Drama Desk panel that explores who they are, what it takes to continue a career, what gives them a thrill on stage.”

Lunch will begin at 12 noon in the penthouse lobby of the Roundabout’s American Airlines Theatre, followed by the panel discussion from 12:30 to 2pm. Tickets are $10 for Drama Desk members, $15 for non-members; reservations may be made by phoning 212-978-0213.