Wolpe, Cox, Irving, Etc. Set for Project Shaw 'Conversion'

A starry cast has been assembled for the next Project Shaw reading, which will take place at the Players Club on November 20th.

The reading of Captain Brassbound's Conversion will star: Lenny Wolpe as Leslie Rankin, Tyler Maynard as Felix Drinkwater, George S. Irving as Sir Howard Hallam, Veanne Cox as Lady Cicely Waynflete, David Lansbury as Captain Brassbound, Terry Wynne as Marzo, Simon Kendall as Redbrook, John Keating as Johnson, Howard Kissel as Osmon, Tim Artz as Sidi El Assif, Merwin Goldsmith as The Cadi, Adam Feldman as American Bluejacket, Allen McCullough as Capt. Hamlin Kearney and Patricia O'Connel as the Narrator.  The New York Post's Michael Riedel will introduce the play.

In Captain Brassbound's Conversion "it is cunning manipulation of the truth that ensures that fairness, rather than justice, prevails. Shaw was, in fact, inspired to write this play by the English cautionary tale of Sweeney Todd, which he mentions in the play. A man has been driven to live his life for revenge. When faced with the opportunity for extracting it, he realizes how empty such a life is," state Shaw Project notes on the 1899 play.

Project Shaw--which aims to encompass all plays (long and short) by the legendary Irish playwright--is captained by David Staller (Mrs. Warren's Profession at the Irish Rep), who will also produce and direct the following currently-scheduled play: The Philanderer on December 18th (with more to be announced).

Actors who've already taken part in these readings include: Charlotte Rae, Penny Fuller, Daniel Reichard, Alison Fraser, Paul Hecht, Peter Yonka, Liz Morton, Laura Odeh, Fritz Weaver, Malcolm Gets, Michele Pawk, Marc Kudisch, Rebecca Luker, Max von Essen, Victor Slezak, Charlotte Moore, Malachy McCourt, George S. Irving, Paxton Whitehead, Nancy Anderson, Cynthia Harris, Kate Baldwin, Jonathan Freeman and Simon Jones. The readings have been introduced by various men of the theatre including Howard Kissel and John Simon.

"The Irish born Shaw, who died at age 94 in 1950, is one of the most prolific writers of plays, books and treatises in the English language. His unyielding stand for human rights, particularly for women'ss rights, has become legendary. He encouraged general political awareness and the need for people to take responsibility for their own lives."

For reservations, call The Players Club at (212) 475-6116 or visit Projectshaw.com