Drama Desk To Present Panel Discussion/Luncheon At Sardi's On 6/12

The Drama Desk organization's highly regarded panel discussions are looked upon as highlights of New York theater seasons, and this latest promises to be among of the most exciting.

The Play's The Thing, a symposium exploring the impressive number of plays presented during the 2008-2009 season, will take place on Friday, June 12, 2009, on the 4th floor of Sardi's and will feature an impressive panel, including playwright Annie Baker (Body Awareness), Marcia Gay Harden (Veronica in God of Carnage), Condola Rashad (Sophie in Ruined), Geoffrey Rush (King Berenger in Exit the King), Pablo Schreiber (Eben Cabot in Desire Under the Elms) and director Bartlett Sher (Joe Turner's Come and Gone). The moderator will be Elysa Gardner, theater critic for USA Today, and a member of the Drama Desk.

While primarily for members of the Drama Desk, the event will also have some space open to non-members. The sit-down luncheon will be served at 11:45 AM followed by the panel discussion from 1 - 2:30 PM. The price for Drama Desk members is $35 and non-member guests $55 (all inclusive), payable by cash or check at the door. There will be a cash bar. Sardi's is located at 234 West 44th Street.

Reservations are required and should be made as soon as possible by E-mailing PJRJS@aol.com and including food choices -- salmon, chicken or pasta.

The Drama Desk, organized in 1949, presented its first awards in 1955. It is the only theater organization whose awards are competitive in the same categories for Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway and not-for-profit Theater Productions.