David Strathairn to Star at MARLOWE Benefit Reading At Shadowland Theater 10/9

Raymond Chandler's classic film-noir private detective, Philip Marlowe, will be brought back to life onstage at Shadowland Theatre on Saturday, October 9th through David Strathairn, nominated for an Oscar for Good Night and Good Luck and a 2010 Emmy winner for Temple Grandin. That evening at 8:00 pm in downtown Ellenville, Strathairn will join a long line of legendary actors who have portrayed Chandler's iconic hard-boiled shamus, including Humphrey Bogart, Dick Powell, James Garner, Elliott Gould, and Robert Mitchum.

Peter Scolari (Bosom Buddies, Newhart, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids) will co-star. Strathairn has appeared in The Bourne Ultimatum, A League of Their Own, Matewan, Silkwood, Return of the Secaucus Seven, Passion Fish, The Firm, The River Wild, Dolores Claiborne, L.A. Confidential; We Are Marshall and Racing Daylight.

The one-night only, benefit staged-reading of Chandler's original work, rarely seen live onstage, has been adapted and is being directed by James Glossman, the veteran writer-director whose previous award-winning adaptations have included works by F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce, O Henry, Kate Atkinson, William Faulkner, Edgar Allan Poe, Eudora Welty, Mark Twain, and two-decades' work with novelist/playwright/journalist Jim Lehrer.

"I'm delighted at the special opportunity to bring Chandler's work to Shadowland as a part of this benefit performance led by David and Peter," says Glossman. I have believed for quite some time that the Shadowland Theatre continues to be an irreplaceable source of compelling professional theatre in the Hudson Valley region. As such, a growing number of top-flight artists want to do whatever they can to support their work."

Speaking to why he adaptEd Raymond Chandler's work, Glossman adds, "I've loved his stories and characters all my life, from The Big Sleep and Farewell My Lovely, to The Long Goodbye. He really invented the hard-boiled detective, and he's still the best. It's so rare to get to put his words up on a stage. There have been so many famous movies, but so little chance to see actors work with his terrific words, up close and in person. There have been many Chandler imitators, satires and wannabes, but for my money, he's the real thing - an American original."

"Shadowland is proud to offer this rare event," says artistic director Brendan Burke. "As a regional theater, we are ready, willing and primed to invest in new plays with important artists. This will be a real treat for Hudson Valley theatergoers. For our 26-year old organization, the reading's being staged as a benefit for our building fund, launching a capital campaign to upgrade our building's antiquated heating and A/C systems. Understandably, we're very grateful to David, Peter, Jim and all members of the talented cast for volunteering their talents towards this cause."

Burke says monies raised October 9 will go towards the Actors' Equity theater's efforts to become a year-round producing theatre, furthering its impact, culturally and economically, on the Ellenville downtown area and the Lower Hudson Valley region. During the 2010 summer season, Shadowland unveiled a brand-new housing facility designed solely for cast, crew and staff, fully renovating a house donated by Provident Bank, two blocks from the theater.

Due to this being a one-night only, single performance reading, reservations are strongly recommended by calling call the box office at 845-647-5511 or visiting the theatre at 157 Canal Street, Ellenville, NY. A donation of $25 is suggested for admission. Private and corporate tax-deductible donations for Shadowland capital fund-raising campaign are also welcome the evening of October 9.

About Shadowland Theatre
Shadowland Theatre is the leading professional nonprofit Actors' Equity company in the Lower Hudson Valley/Catskill Mountain region. Located only 90 miles from New York City in Ellenville, NY, Shadowland was named "Best of the Valley" by Hudson Valley magazine in 2004, 2005 and 2007; "2006 Cultural Business of the Year" by Ulster Development Corporation and Ulster County Chamber of Commerce; "Best Theatre 2006" by the Times Herald Record; and "Best Drama of the Year" by The Daily Record in NJ for The Good German. Founded in 1984, Shadowland performs in a restored 1920's Art Deco vaudeville/movie house converted to a 148-seat theatre. For more information, visit http://www.shadowlandtheatre.org.