Tomei and Cannavale to Star in WCS' 'Scarlet Letter'

Culture Project has announced the full cast of the workshop production of Carol Gilligan's adaptation of The Scarlet Letter, which is being presented as part of its currently underway 2007 Women Center Stage festival (WCS), the annual multi-disciplinary event featuring women artists whose work calls attention to human struggles globally.

Academy Award-winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny) and Emmy Award-winner Bobby Cannavale ("Will & Grace," MTC's upcoming Mauritius) will star in this new script workshop production of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel The Scarlet Letter, adapted by renowned scholar and psychologist Carol Gilligan.  The cast also features Ron Cephas Jones (Gem of the Ocean) and Obie-winner Marin Ireland (Cyclone), and is directed by Leigh Silverman (The Treatment, Well). 

The Scarlet Letter will be presented on Tuesday, July 10 and Wednesday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Culture Project (55 Mercer Street, SoHo).   

"Currently in its 11th year, WCS gathers artists, activists, thinkers and other crucial voices to share stories and ideas and challenge one another to act and react.  The three-week festival, with more than 25 events, will take place at Culture Project's SoHo home as well as The Knitting Factory and P.S. 122.  The events include theater, film, music, comedy and conversations.  Among those scheduled to participate are Eve Ensler, Marisa Tomei, Samantha Power, Staceyann Chin, Elizabeth Swados, Azar Nafisi, Olivia Wilde, Patricia Foulkrod, Julie Goldman and Letty Cotton Pogrebin, among many others.  The festival draws to a close on Tuesday, July 17," state press materials.

Tickets for all WCS events, including The Scarlet Letter, are available through the Culture Project box office at www.cultureproject.org and through Theatermania.com, (212) 352-3101.  For further information, visit the WCS site at www.cultureproject.org.

Photo of Marisa Tomei by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.