Third GHOSTLIGHT Reading Set for January; Abigail Ludrof to Play 'Molly Cook'

As previously reported, the musical Ghostlight, by Tim Realbuto and Matthew Martin, which had two starry backer's auditions on December 2nd at the The New 42nd Street Studios in NYC, has added a 29- hour industry reading next month due to popular demand. This is one of the first times a new musical has added another presentation nearly a month after its first one. The December 2nd evening was directed by Martin and Realbuto and featured an all-star cast which included "That's So Raven's" Anneliese Van Der Pol as Olive Thomas, Three-time Tony nominee Carolee Carmello as Billie Burke, Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli as Ziegfeld, "Pippin" star Rachel Bay Jones as Molly Cook, Kimberly Faye Greenberg as Fanny Brice, and Trevor McQueen as Jack Pickford.

The entire New 42 cast is scheduled to appear again in the January reading, with the exception of van der Pol, who is back in Los Angeles pursuing other projects and Jones, who left the production due to scheduling issues.

While the creative team will announce the new Olive soon, they are excited to announce Abigail Ludrof as the next Molly Cook. Ludrof appeared in the ensemble of the New 42 production and now rises from the ranks to star alongside the likes of Carmello and Cuccioli. In a statement, the creative team said "Abigail has this rare vulnerability and raw talent, which is perfect for the extremely difficult role of Molly. We're thrilled with our choice and we believe that a star is born. Audiences in January are due for a real treat."

Ludrof attended the The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and is making her professional New York debut with Ghostlight. Regionally, she has appeared as the title character in Flora, The Red Menace, as well as productions of The Three Musketeers; Bye Bye Birdie; Annie; Godspell; and Peter Pan.

Kevin Lambert (Broadway's Godspell) will produce the January reading, which tells the true story of Ziegfeld Follies girl and silent film star Olive Thomas, her meteoric rise to fame in the Follies alongside Fanny Brice, her secret affair with Zeigfeld himself (who was famously married to actress Billie Burke), her falsely idealized relationship with Follies comedienne Molly Cook, her whirlwind Hollywood marriage to movie star Jack Pickford, and her ultimate downfall into drugs and alcohol, which led to her mysterious death at age 25 in Paris at the height of her career. The evening will again feature direction by Martin and Realbuto and musical direction by Alison Holman (Freedom's Song). However, a new song is currently being written for the main character and the opening and finale are being changed. The January reading will feature these changes for the very first time.

Ghostlight made its world premiere at The Signature Theatre at NYMF Off-Broadway in 2011 with a sold-out and extended run, also directed by Realbuto and Martin. That production starred Tony Award winner Daisy Eagan (The Secret Garden) as Molly Cook.