Susan Blackwell, Mara Davi, et al. Lead FANNY'S FIRST PLAY at Gingold Theatrical Group, 7/18

Gingold Theatrical Group will continue its sixth sold-out year of PROJECT SHAW with Shaw's first commercial success, the rarely produced satire FANNY'S FIRST PLAY which was initially written anonymously,on Monday, July 18 at 7pm at The Players Club (16Gramercy Park South) in Manhattan. David Staller produces and directs.

FANNY'S FIRST PLAY, which features a play within a play, is a satire of theater critics, whose characters were based upon Shaw's own detractors. Originally, Shaw had the play produced without letting anyone know who actually wrote it. It caused a sensation. Ironically, this rarely seen 1911 play was Shaw's first real commercial success. The plot involves the daughter (Mara Davi) of a man (Daniel Davis) who refuses to live in the present. She writes an incendiary play, anonymously, and invites a group of critics to review it.

The cast will feature actors Susan Blackwell ([title of show], THE KID); Bradford Cover (A THOUSAND CLOWNS), Mara Davi (DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY, A CHORUS LINE, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE), Daniel Davis (BLACK TIE, "The Nanny"), Jack Gilpin, John Martello, Rory O'Malley (THE BOOK OF MORMON), Christine Pedi (TALK RADIO), Hal Robinson (THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE), Amy Rutberg (THE DIVINE SISTER), Marc Victor (SUNSET).

The critics will be played by local theater journalists: Michael Feingold (Village Voice), Adam Feldman (Time Out New York), Patrick Pacheco (NY1 and L.A. Times) and Jason Zinoman (New York Times).

Peter Filichia of the Star-Ledger will narrate. Gordon Cox of Variety will be the guest host.

David Staller produces and directs all of the Project Shaw readings.

For reservations, to FANNY'S FIRST PLAY on Monday, July 18 at 7pm at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South), call TheaterMania at 212-352-3101 or visit www.PROJECTSHAW.com. Tickets for Project Shaw performances are always available after the first of every month. All
seats are $25.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos