Olympia Dukakis and Lisa Peterson Host Hero Theatre's THREE SISTERS Reading, 8/8

HERO Theatre's first production will be on Monday August 8, 2011, 7PM at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Hosted by Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis, the newly formed company will present a special staged reading of Anton Chekhov's "Three Sisters" directed by Obie?award winner Lisa Peterson.

The cast for this reading includes 2011 Tony nominee Arian Moayed (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), award-winning actor Jeremy Shamos, Michael Aronov (Lincoln Center's upcoming Blood & Gifts), Thomas Kopache (West Wing, Star Trek), Elisa Bocanegra, Eileen DeSandre, Jose Febus, Kevin Fugaro, Yetta Gottesman, Anya Migdal, Bobby Plasencia, Krystal Rowley, Jerry Stilianessis, and Juan Villa.

HERO Theatre was founded in March 2011 by Elisa Bocanegra, Artistic Director, and Producing Director, Anya Migdal with the objective of presenting classical plays and groundbreaking adaptations of the classics. HERO's ensemble consists of some of today's most notable and emerging actors from diverse backgrounds and training in stage, television and film. The mission of HERO is to provide opportunities for theatre artists to hone their craft by way of the classics and to make classical plays accessible to modern audiences.

Olympia Dukakis is HERO Theatre's Head Advisor. Advisory Board members include Michael Ritchie (Artistic Director of the Center Theatre Group), Jenny Gersten (Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival), esteemed director Michael Wilson, acclaimed actor Michael Cumpsty, distinguished playwright Migdalia Cruz, noted Russian writer Tatyana Tolstaya and Judy Bowman of Judy Bowman Casting.

Directors Bocanegra and Migdal's inspiration to create HERO Theatre came about from the encouragement and support of their esteemed colleagues, many who have donated their time, talent and name to HERO's advisory board and to this event. This benefit reading will initiate the company's fundraising efforts to present its first full-scale production in 2012.

For more information about HERO Theatre, visit www.herotheatre.org. Press seats are available. Contact Amelia Durand to be put on the list.

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes