Bebe Neuwirth, Darrell Hammond and More Set for Frog and Peach Theatre Company's KING LEAR Reading

Frog and Peach Theatre Co., Inc. will present an all-star benefit reading of "King Lear" on July 9 at The Player's Club with a cast including Jeffrey DeMunn ("The Walking Dead") as King Lear, Bebe Neuwirth ( "The Good Wife") as Goneril, Darrell Hammond (Saturday Night Live) as Edgar, Rich Sommer ("Mad Men") as Fool, Wrenn Schmidt ("Boardwalk Empire") as Cordelia, Ted Zurkowski ("Boys on the Side") as Edmund, John Rothman ("Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter") as Kent, Peter Gerety ("Public Enemies") as Gloucester, David Wohl ("Saving Private Ryan") as Albany, Amy Frances Quint ("Radio Deluxembourg") as Regan, Eric Doss ("Love Songs") as France, Ryan Tramont ("The Hurt Locker") as Oswald, Erick Gonzalez ("Two Gentlemen of Verona") as Cornwall, and Jack Sochet ("A Midsummer Night's Dream") as Burgundy. The original score is by Ian McDonald (King Crimson, Foreigner) and performed live by Mr. McDonald.

The reading is directed by Lynnea Benson, Artistic Director of Frog and Peach Theatre Co., Inc. Running time is approximately 1 hour, 20 minutes plus an intermission.

The Gala will benefit Frog and Peach Theatre Company's upcoming production of "A Taming of the Shrew," to be presented October 11 to November 4, 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 Monday July 9 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.