Cady Huffman and Beth Fowler to Lead Prospect's DEATH BY DESIGN Reading, 11/5

Prospect Theater Company will present a November 5, 2012 one-night-only staged reading of Rob Urbinati's original play Death By Design, a witty and wonderfully mysterious whodunit inspired by Noel Coward and Agatha Christie.

The announcement was made today by Prospect Theater Company Producing Artistic Director Cara Reichel and Managing Director Melissa Huber.

Tony Award Winner Cady Huffman (Prospect Theater Company's Cole Porter's NYMPH ERRANT, The Producers, Steel Pier), two-time Tony Award Nominee Beth Fowler (The Boy From Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Baby), Rachel de Benedet (Catch Me If You Can, The Addams Family, Nine), Jenn Gambatese (Prospect Theater Company's Iron Curtain, Hairspray, Is He Dead) and Chris Hoch (La Cage aux Folles, Shrek The Musical, Spamalot) are among the cast.

Prospect Theater Company previously produced Urbinati's new adaptation of Cole Porter's NYMPH ERRANT and, in 2007, another of his mystery plays, West Moon Street. Death By Design will be directed by Will Pomerantz, who directed the Prospect production of Cole Porter's NYMPH ERRANT.

What happens when you mix the wit of Noel Coward with the intricate plotting of Agatha Christie? Set during a weekend in an English country manor in 1932, Death by Design is a delightful and mysterious mash-up of two of the greatest English writers of all time. Edward Bennett, a playwright, and his wife Sorel Bennett, an actress, flee London and head to Cookham after a disastrous opening night. But various guests arrive unexpectedly – a conservative politician, a fiery socialist, a nearsighted ingenue, a zany modern dancer – each with a long-held secret. When one of the guests is murdered, it's left to Bridgit, the feisty Irish maid with a macabre interest in homicide, to solve the crime. Death by Design is more than homage – it's a new classic.

The reading will take place on Monday, November 5, 2012 at 7:30pm at The 13th Street Theater, located at 136 East 13th Street, NYC. Death By Design is being presented as a benefit for Prospect Theater Company's new works programming and to celebrate the 2013 publication of Death by Design by Samuel French. Additional casting will be announced soon.

Tickets are available by visiting www.ProspectTheater.org or calling (212) 352-3101. Angel Tickets ($100) include Premium Seating, a Pre-Performance Reception with the Author and a Signed 1st Edition Copy of the Script. Premium Tickets ($50) include Premium Seating and a Pre-Performance Reception with the Author. $25 General Admission Tickets are also available. Prospect Theater Company subscribers can reserve $10 tickets by calling (212) 352-3101 or emailing subscriptions@ProspectTheater.org.