Project Shaw Announces New Plays; Brown Stars in Candida

A starry cast has been assembled for the next Project Shaw reading, which will take place at the Players Club on January 22nd at 7 PM.

The reading of George Bernard Shaw's Candida will feature Blair Brown (Copenhagen, Cabaret) in the title role, with Matt Cavenaugh (Grey Gardens), Daniel Jenkins (Mary Poppins), Annie Golden (Assassins) and Ed Dixon (The Iceman Cometh).

Project Shaw--which aims to encompass all plays (long and short) by the legendary Irish playwright--is captained by David Staller (Mrs. Warren's Profession at the Irish Rep), who, last year, directed and produced almost a dozen of Shaw's works. He presents the readings alongside the Gingold Theatrical Group.

The series' 2006-2007 season was recently announced, as well: The Music Cure and Interlude at the Playhouse (Feb. 19), The Doctor's Dilemma (March 19), Androcles and the Lion (April 23), Admirable Bashville (May 21), Village Wooing and How He Lied to Her Husband (June 18), The Millionairess (July 23), Man and Superman (Sept. 17), Press Cuttings and Passion, Poison and Petrifaction (Oct. 22), Widower's Houses (Nov. 19) and Pygmalion (Dec. 17).

The April 23rd reading of Androcles and the Lion will include a cast made up almost entirely of journalists. "David Staller claims the public will enjoy seeing critics playing the Christians being thrown to the lions," state press materials.

Candida, "questions Victorian notions of women's rights, sexuality, societal expectations for formalized relationships (including marriage), capitalism and religion. All with a satirical wink, Shaw covers just about all controversial topics allowing for some surprisingly heated dialogue. At the heart of the story is a happily married couple, challenged by the passions of a young poet."

Actors who have promised to join in the continued reading of Shaw's 50 plays over the next two years include : Rosemary Harris, Tyne Daly, Philip Bosco, Raul Esparza, John McMartin, Joel Grey, Cherry Jones, Julie Halston, Charles Busch, Olympia Dukakis, Richard Kind, Terrence Mann, Denis O'Hare, and Tony Roberts. Dozens of stars have already appeared in the readings.

"The Irish born Shaw, who died at age 94 in 1950, is one of the most prolific writers of plays, books and treatises in the English language. His unyielding stand for human rights, particularly for women's rights, has become legendary. He encouraged general political awareness and the need for people to take responsibility for their own lives.

The Gingold Theatrical Group is dedicated to presenting all of Shaw's 50 plays in a concert reading format. Once a suitable performance space is found, they will begin producing two fully mounted Shaw plays a year. As they are also in the process of commissioning new plays by young playwrights, they will also include one new play per season. These new plays will be carrying on the Shavian precepts and ideals: forging one's own individual path in life independent of societal expectations, while actively taking responsibility for one's choices and actions."

Tickets will be available starting January 1st at www.projectshaw.com.  They will be available starting January 2nd at 212-352-3101.