Darrell Hammond, Anna Chlumsky, et al. Set for HAMLET Benefit Reading, 2/21

Frog and Peach Theatre Co., Inc. will present an all-star benefit reading of "Hamlet" on February 21 at The Player's Club with a cast including Darrell Hammond (Saturday Night Live) as Guildenstern, Austin Pendleton ("My Cousin Vinnie") as Claudius and the Ghost, Shirley Knight ("Our Idiot Brother," "Sweet Bird of Youth") as Gertrude, David Margulies ("Ghostbusters," "Sopranos") as Polonius and Gravedigger, Fred Willard ("Anchorman," "Waiting for Guffman") as Horatio, Anna Chlumsky ("In the Loop") as Ophelia, Ted Zurkowski ("Boys on the Side," co-founder of Frog and Peach Theatre Co.) as Hamlet and Ryan Tramont ("The Hurt Locker") as Laertes. Music is by Ian McDonald (King Crimson, Foreigner) and performed live by Mr. McDonald.

The cast also includes Lenny Ciotti (Osric), Erick Gonzalez (Fortinbras), Ross Beshear (Rosencrantz), and Alan Altschuler (The Player). The reading is directed by Lynnea Benson, Artistic Director of Frog and Peach Theatre Co., Inc.

The Gala will benefit Frog and Peach Theatre Company's upcoming production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," to be presented April 26 to May 20, 2012 at The West End Theatre, 263 W 86th Street.

Frog & Peach Theatre Company (http://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. Benefit proceeds support free and discounted tickets to Frog & Peach Main Stage productions for under-served public school students in Upper Manhattan & the Bronx.

The Players Club at 16 Gramercy Park South (East 20th Street between Third Avenue and Park Avenue South and is a New York Landmark renowned for its beauty, luxurious decor, and rich theatrical history.

The gala is Tuesday, February 21 at 7:30 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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