Billy Porter to Helm Wesley Taylor's Starry 'PROUD OF US' Benefit for The Actors Fund

Tony Award-winner Billy Porter will direct an evening of several short plays by actor / playwright Wesley Taylor, entitled Proud of Us and Other Short Plays by Wesley Taylor.

Leslie Kritzer will host the benefit performance which will be presented for one night only on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 7:30 pm at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). West End star, Summer Strallen will read the stage directions.

The cast for Proud of Us... will include Tony Award-winner Denis O'Hare, "Glee" and Broadway star Matthew Morrison, and "Difficult People" creator / star Julie Klausner, along with Sylar Astin, Carolee Carmello, Jack Griffo, Noah Hinsdale, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Julie Klausner, Kevin McHale, Terrence Mann, Maulik Pancholy, Bryce Pinkham, Alexandra Socha, Will Swenson, Raven Symoné, Mary Testa, Michael Urie, and Samantha Ware. All cast is subject to change.

Tickets for Proud of Us... are $75, $150, $250 and are now on sale at www.actorsfund.org or by calling 212.221.7300 ext. 133. Tickets that include a post-performance cast party will be available for a donation of $500. For details, visit www.actorsfund.org.

THE ACTORS FUND is a national human services organization that helps everyone - performers and those behind the scenes - who works in performing arts and entertainment. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund is a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition.

Wesley Taylor (Playwright). A Theatre World Award Winner and Outer Critics Circle nominee, Taylor was in the original Broadway casts of Rock of Ages and The Addams Family. Television includes Bobby on "SMASH," "The Good Wife," "The Tomorrow People," "Looking," "One Life to Live," and others. He recently starred as the Emcee in Signature Theatre's acclaimed production of Cabaret and is now starring as the title role in An Act of God at Denver Theatre Center. Taylor is the co-creator/writer/star of "It Could Be Worse," which was acquired by Participant Media, Pivot TV, Vimeo on Demand, and Hulu. Last fall, The Actor's Fund produced a reading of six of his short plays, starring Stockard Channing, Nathan Lane, and Debra Messing. In January of 2016, Anonymous Content ("Spotlight" / "Mr. Robot") commissioned Taylor to develop a digital series based off his stage play, "Little Monsters."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride