Doran, Kurtz, Playten, Russell, et al. Set for Why This Night Reading

Harris Doran, Ryan Farrell, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Carole Monferdini, Alice Playten, Jay Russell, and Adam Wade will star in a free reading of Stephen Joseph’s new comedy Why This Night at 7pm on Monday, August 28 and 3pm on Tuesday, August 29 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The play concerns a writer who brings his boyfriend home to Boca Raton to experience the perfect Passover seder and meet his mother, who has been chosen by the prophet Elijah to lead the Exodus. The reading will be directed by Alan Souza.

Doran’s stage credits include Joy, The Whore of Sheridan Square, and The Actors’ Fund concert of Hair. Farrell’s credits include Hot Black/Asian Action and After the Fall. Kurtz received an Obie Award and a Drama Desk nomination for When She Danced, and another Obie for The Loman Family Picnic. Monferdini won an Obie for The Club; she has also been seen in New York productions of such shows as The Misanthrope and If Memory Serves.

Playten received a Tony Award nomination for Henry, Sweet Henry and has also appeared on Broadway in Hello, Dolly!, Oliver!, Seussical, and Caroline, or Change. Russell’s New York stage credits include The Play What I Wrote, The Normal Heart, and The Green Heart. Wade, whose stage credits include Guys and Dolls, is best known as the host of the television game show Musical Chairs.

Reservations for the reading are required. For more information, visit www.whythisnight.com.