Top Girls Reading, with Elliott, Etc., Begins 10/30

The No Frills Company will kick off its new Monday night reading series at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) with Caryl Churchill's Top Girls on October 30 and November 6 at 8PM.

The reading is directed by Pamela Berlin (Steel Magnolias, To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday), and stars Patricia Elliott (Tony-winner for A Little Night Music), Pamela Payton-Wright (Mourning Becomes Electra), Pippa Pearthree, Lola Pashalinski, and Sue Brady.

"It's the middle of the high-flying, go-getting 80's in Maggie Thatcher's England and Marlene finally has something to celebrate – she's just been made managing director of Top Girls Employment Agency. But with no friends to speak of, and a past she'd just as soon forget, the guests at Marlene's party are a collection of famous women from history. Soon, Marlene discovers that life above the glass ceiling is not all it's cracked up to be," state production notes.

Top Girls is the first of three plays to be read in the new series, which focuses on female characters and actresses over 40. Twigs by George Furth will be read on November 13 and 20, and Eileen Atkins' Vita and Virginia starring Kathleen Chalfant and Patricia Elliot will round up the series on November 27 and December 11.

"We are dedicated to finding plays that offer the talented actresses over forty the opportunity to continue the growth of her craft, while our younger actresses benefit from the invaluable experience gained by working with more seasoned performers", says No Frills Founder Caryl Young. "The plays we've chosen offer excellent roles for women of a certain age, which you don't find on the Broadway stage, or any stage for that matter, very often."

"The No Frills Company is committed to providing a creative and collaborative theatre environment for women of all ages in all areas of theatre, and to producing plays that offer women more substantive roles."

Tickets will be available by calling Telecharge at (212) 239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com, or in person at the Cherry Lane Theatre box office (38 Commerce Street).  Ticket prices are $25 ($10 student discount), and $55 package deal for all three plays. 

Visit www.nofrillsco.org for more information on the company.