Carole Shelley Joins Star-Studded 3/19 'Earnest' Reading

Carole Shelley (Tony Award-winner for The Elephant Man and original Madame Morrible in the Broadway smash hit Wicked) will assume the role of Lady Bracknell for the one-night-only performance of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of manners The Importance of Being Earnest on Monday, March 19 with a 6:00pm reception and a 7:30pm performance at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street) to benefit Resonance Ensemble's 2007 season.

"The play - one of Oscar Wilde's most famous comedies - focuses on Jack and Algernon, two flippant young men, who, in order to impress their respected beloveds, pretend that their names are "Ernest," which both young ladies believe confers magical qualities on the possessor. The performance commemorates the fifth anniversary of Resonance Ensemble, and the company's inaugural production of The Importance of Being Earnest," state press materials.

Directed by Resonance Ensemble Artistic Director Eric Parness; the cast of features David Alan Basche (United 93) as Algernon; Emmy-nominee Matthew Cowles as Dr. Chasuble; Deborah S. Craig (Spelling Bee) as Cecily; Patrick Melville (Crazy for the Dog) as Lane; Jennifer Mudge (Dutchman) as Gwendolen; Jeremy Shamos (Gutenberg! The Musical) as Jack; and Maxwell Zener (Golem Stories) as Merriman.  Casting for the role of Miss Prism will be announced

Under the Artistic Direction of Eric Parness and Managing Direction of Rachel Reiner, Resonance Ensemble is dedicated to developing new theatrical work inspired by the timelessness and universalism of the classics, and to producing resonating groups of theatrical presentations that echo across countless cultures and eras to confront themes and ideas significant to audiences of today.

Resonance Ensemble's one-night benefit performance will be held at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street) on Monday, March 19 with a 6:00pm reception and a 7:30pm performance. Tickets are $80 ($70 of which is tax deductible) and are available for purchase online at www.ResonanceEnsemble.org (through Paypal), or by check made payable to Resonance Ensemble and sent to Resonance Ensemble, P.O. Box 771, Times Square Station, New York, NY 10108. Checks must be received by Friday, March 16.

For additional information, please call Resonance Ensemble at 646-263-6673, or visit www.resonanceensemble.org.

Photo of Carole Shelley by Linda Lenzi