Sternhagen & Arkin Set for Free 'Jesus Hickey' Reading

A new play, The Jesus Hickey, will receive a staged reading with an all-star cast at the Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street on Monday, June 11th at 7 pm. 

"Written by playwright, author and director Luke Yankee, this outrageous comedy deals with religious fanaticism and the nature of celebrity.  The story revolves around Agnes, a young, Irish girl goes out necking with her boyfriend one night and comes home with a hickey in the shape of Jesus.  The love bite from God won't go away and Agnes suddenly develops amazing healing powers. Her father, an unemployed Irish laborer, becomes her manager and makes Agnes an international celebrity to rival Britney Spears. But Agnes realizes that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be and she and her salty-tongued grandmother hatch a plot of their own," as described in press notes.

The cast will include theatre, film and TV veteran Frances Sternhagen, whose career spans more than fifty years. Sternhagen has appeared in such Broadway classics as The Skin of Our Teeth, On Golden Pond, Equus, Driving Miss Daisy and the recent revivals of The Heiress with Cherry Jones, Seascape and Steel Magnolias. Television audiences know her best for recurring roles as Bunny on "Sex and the City" and Millicent Carter on "ER."  Also appearing in the cast is Matthew Arkin, whose New York stage credits include Dinner with Friends, Moonlights & Magnolias and Rounding Third.  Among Arkin's frequent television appearances are roles on "Law & Order," "Hack" and "All My Children." The role of Agnes, the owner of the Heavenly hickey, will be read by Liz Morton, whose many stage credits include The Member of the Wedding at the Westport Country Playhouse, directed by Joanne Woodard.  The reading will be directed by Casey Childs, executive director of the esteemed Off-Broadway company, Primary Stages. The producer is Jack W. Batman.

The Jesus Hickey is one of the recipients of the TRU Voices Award for 2007, sponsored by Theatre Resources Unlimited, a group whose primary goal is to foster new producers for the theatre. The play was one of four chosen out of more than 60 scripts to receive a staged reading for Broadway producers and agents. All readings are open to the general public with no admission charge and will include a panel discussion and a wine and cheese reception.

Luke Yankee the author of Just Outside the Spotlight, a memoir about growing up as the son of Oscar, Emmy and Tony-winner, Eileen Heckart.  He is also the co-author of the award-winning drama, A Place at Forest Lawn, which will be published next month by Dramatists Play Service.

Reservations for The Jesus Hickey can be made by calling Theatre Resources Unlimited at 212-714-7628.  Admission is free, but reservations are required.  A panel discussion and reception will follow.