Project Shaw Gives 37th Presentation, THE MAN OF DESTINY 5/18 At Players Club

PROJECT SHAW, now in its third of the four-year series, continues tackling every play George Bernard Shaw ever wrote. This will be its 37th presentation. Shaw's rarely performed comedies, THE MAN OF DESTINY and THE GLIMPSE OF REALITY will be performed on Monday, MAY 18th at 7pm at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South. David Staller is producer and director.

'THE MAN OF DESTINY is Shaw's inflammatory play about none other than the young Napoleon (Michael Cerveris) Bonaparte! He's just begun his infamous Italian Campaigne when a mysterious woman spy appears who may prove to be his downfall!

'THE GLIMPSE OF REALITY is a bold and dashing Count is on the run in the Italian countryside disguised as an old Friar. He has to try to save his life. His only weapon: his wit.

The cast for these readings will include Michael Cerveris, Kate Baldwin, Graham Rowat, and David Margulies.

The host for the evening will be theatrical critic, DAVID ROONEY of VARIETY.

Tickets are only $20 and are available after the first of the month. Call TheaterMania at 212-352-3101 or log onto www.PROJECTSHAW.com

THESE PERFORMANCES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The Players is New York's most legendary private club. The former residence of Edwin Booth, it became a club for those interested in the arts in 1888.

Among those actors who have previously appeared are Marian Seldes, Brian Murray, Cheyenne Jackson, Megan Mullally, Karen Ziemba, Jayne Houdyshell, Blair Brown, John Cullum, Veanne Cox, Marc Kudisch, Rebecca Luker, Cheyenne Jackson, Charlotte Rae, Fritz Weaver, Kate Mulgrew, Charles Busch, Gary Beach and Kathleen Widdoes.

As Shaw began his theatrical life as a critic, (and since we don't invite reviews), members of the press have also been involved in each reading. Those who have introduced or acted include Jeremy McCarter, Howard Kissel, Charles Isherwood, Michael Riedel, John Simon, Frank Scheck, David Cote, Adam Feldman, Rex Reed, Roma Torre, David Finkle, Eric Grode, and Robert Simonson.

In addition to PROJECT SHAW, GTG is also producing a successful new play development program. Named for one of Shaw' inflammatory one-acts, PRESS CUTTINGS: the new plays. As Shaw was a theater critic before becoming a playwright, all writers are currently on-staff critics or journalists devoted to covering the theater scene. The three writers chosen for the first year's cycle will be David Cote, Jeremy McCarter and Robert Simonson. These plays will be developed in a year-long workshop process. Once their own theatre space is secured, GTG will be presenting a full season including two fully mounted Shaw plays and at least one new play. These plays are to focus on the Shavian precepts involving individual human rights, political and social responsibility and the comic absurdity of daily life.

GTG has announced the plays for 2009.
PROJECT SHAW 2009
All Mondays at 7.
May 18: Glimpse of Reality & Man of Destiny
June 15: Six of Calais / Simpleton of the Unexpected
July 20: Mrs. Warren's Profession
September 21: Back to Methuselah PART ONE
October 19: Back to Methuselah PART TWO
November 16: On The Rocks
December 14: Why She Would Not (Shaw's unfinished final play)