4/9 Shakespeare Event Features Debra Messing & Other Stars

The Shakespeare Society (Michael Sexton, Artistic Director) will celebrate Shakespeare's 443rd Birthday on Monday, April 9th from 6:30-10:00 PM with the second annual FREE Shakespeare Birthday Marathon, featuring comedy, music and romance, at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (69th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues). Admission is free and open to the public with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Shakespeare Society's inaugural Shakespeare Birthday Marathon last April had a turnout of more than 1,200 people. This year's free community event will continue the tradition of celebrating Shakespeare's birthday with acclaimed actors, singers and musicians performing scenes, speeches and songs from some of his greatest comedies and romances (Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, A Winter's Tale).

In addition, HBO has granted The Shakespeare Society permission to show an extended preview of Kenneth Branagh's upcoming film, As You Like It, starring Kevin Kline, Bryce Dallas Howard and Alfred Molina, during the marathon. Celebrated stage and screen actors Debra Messing, Rainn Wilson, Richard Kind, Michael Cerveris, Philip Bosco, Michael Cumpsty, Norm Lewis, Jeremy Shamos, Peter Ackerman, Oscar Isaac, David Costabile, John Cariani, Kristine Nielsen and many others are scheduled to take part in this annual event. Students from The Shakespeare Society's Adopt-a-School educational outreach program will also perform scenes and monologues. Major support for the Shakespeare Birthday Marathon provided by HBO and Altria.

The Shakespeare Society's SHAKESPEARE BIRTHDAY MARATHON will take place on Monday, April 9th from 6:30-10:00 PM at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (enter on 69th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues). The marathon is FREE and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.shakespearesociety.org or call (212) 327-3399.