William Inge Theatre Festival Presents BECAUSEHECAN Staged Reading, 3/26

The 33rd William Inge Theatre Festival kicks off with a staged reading of Kopit's comedic techno-thriller BecauseHeCan, directed by Jane Unger. The reading is to be held at Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas at 7:30 p.m. March 26. The Inge Festival runs March 26-29. The cast includes Barry Bostwick, George West Carruth, John Gleeson Connolly, Nathan Darrow, and Elyse Knight.

Arthur Kopit, this year's Inge Festival Honoree, is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and three-time Tony Award nominee. BecauseHeCan is set in a dangerous new world, and tells of Joseph and Joanne Elliot, a high-powered New York City couple who awake one day to discover that their private lives are no longer private, thanks to a teenage computer hacker with a warped sense of fun.

Tony and Golden Globe Award-winner Barry Bostwick has had an incredible career in all genres of stage and screen. He created the role of Danny Zuko in Grease; won the Tony Award for The Robber Bridegroom; played the title role of George Washington in the CBS mini-series; has become a cult sensation as Brad in the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show; and played the Mayor in the long-running Spin City. And won a Golden Globe for War and Remembrance. This is a reunion of sorts as Bostwick previously worked on a reading of Kopit's script-in-progress, "Secrets of the Rich".

Nathan Darrow plays Edward Meechum, Kevin Spacey's "Bodyman," in Netflix' hit series, House of Cards. He completed world tour of Richard III which included stops at the prestigious BAM and the Old Vic. Nathan began his career in Kansas City and is well known to regional audiences from appearances at The Unicorn Theatre, Kansas City Actor's Theater and the William Inge Center for the Arts, as well as Berkeley Rep. Elyse Knight's extensive career include performances on TV's Too Close for Comfort, Law and Order, Caroline's Comedy Hour, and as herself on The Hollywood Squares. She has performed at many New York area stages as The Snapple Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and Joe's Pub.

George West Carruth is a New York-based actor whose credits include portraying Virgil in an off-off Broadway production of William Inge's Bus Stop. John Gleeson Connolly is an actor and builder living in Los Angeles. His film appearances include State of the Union and Ali, and TV shows include 24, Criminal Minds and Sex and the City.

Tickets and more information are available at www.ingecenter.org.

Major supporters of the Inge Festival include Independence Community College, the William Inge Festival Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art.

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