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Thora Birch Joins Star Studded LA Actors' Fund Casablanca Reading

By: Sep. 02, 2005
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Known for her film roles, including Purple People Eater, American Beauty, Ghost World, the Liz Murray Story and others, actress Thora Birch has been added to the LA Actors' Fund October 2nd star-studded reading of Casablanca. Birch will play Anina Brandel in the reading, alongside Anne Heche, Christian Slater and others.

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The public's reception was extraordinary to the 2003 reading of Joseph L. Mankiewicz's All About Eve, with Stockard Channing, Kirk Douglas, Calista Flockhart and Tim Curry and was only equaled by last year's all-star reading featuring Anjelica Huston, Patrick Wilson and Sir Ben Kingsley in Sunset Boulevard.

The Actors' Fund has announced its third annual on-stage reading — the classic film screenplay — Casablanca on October 2, 2005. Emmy winner and Tony nominee, Anne Heche and Christian Slater will be delivering the motion picture classic lines "Play it, Sam. Play As Time Goes By" and "Here's looking at you kid" as they join the stellar cast of CASABLANCA. The Actors' Fund of America proudly presents its highly anticipated annual stage reading with Tony® Award-winner Peter Hunt directing the original Warner Bros. screenplay by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch and adapted for the stage by David Rambo. The VIP TICKET pre-reception will be hosted by Angela Lansbury.

CAST TO DATE:
BERGER René Auberjonois
ANINA BRANDEL Thora Birch
SIGNOR UGARTE Dan Castellaneta
MAJOR STRASSER James Cromwell
EMIL Bruce Davison
SAM André De Shields
ILSA Anne Heche
CAPT. LOUIS RENAULT Edward Herrmann
RICK Christian Slater
COL. HEINZE Kurtwood Smith
JAN BRANDEL Hal Sparks
YVONNE Jennifer Tilly


Casablanca is the ultimate love story. Set in the gateway city of Casablanca during the Second World War, when Morocco was part of the Vichy government, the script masterfully evokes the intertwining acts of bravery, betrayal, intrigue and courage which go hand-in-hand with the personal cost of occupation and war. Ultimately, Casablanca is about the transformative power of love.

The Actors' Fund is the only national social service organization that assists members of the entertainment community in every sector of the industry. With a broad spectrum of programs, including health care services, a comprehensive AIDS initiative, supportive housing and a woman's health initiative, The Actors' Fund is the safety net that the entire entertainment community - from film editors and screenwriters, to musicians and dancers -- can depend on. The Fund provides these essential services to over 10,000 people yearly with the same indomitable spirit that they have demonstrated for over 120 years. For more information about The Fund call 323.933.9244 or visit http://www.actorsfund.org

Where:The Pantages Theater, 6233 Hollywood Blvd.
WHEN: Sunday, October 2nd, 2005 - 4:00pm
TICKETS: VIP tix at $250,$500/$1,000/$2,500 (include cast party); Non VIP tickets from $28.00-$153.00
Call 323-933-9244 x 54 or visit http://www.actorsfund.org . Non VIP tickets available through TicketMaster.



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