Reichard Replaces Bell in VALLEY OF THE DOLLS Tonight

Due to an illness, Daniel Reichard will replace Hunter Bell as Ted Casablanca and Mel in the one-night-only benefit performance of VALLEY OF THE DOLLS tonight, March 15, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. This stage adaptation of the 1967 film will take place at the Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College (899 Tenth Ave.)

Reichard joins previously announced cast members Charles Busch (as Helen Lawson), Heidi Blickenstaff (as Neely O'Hara), Tovah Feldshuh (as Miriam Polar) and Martha Plimpton (as Anne Welles) are Nancy Anderson (as Jennifer North), Craig Bierko (as Lyon Burke), Julie Halston (as Miss Steinberg and others), Troy Britton Johnson (as Tony Polar), Julia Murney (as The Singer), Brad Oscar (as Mr. Bellamy and others) and Ed Watts (as Kevin Gilmore and others). Previously announced stars Cheyenne Jackson and Christopher Sieber have withdrawn from the benefit due to scheduling conflicts.

This performance is presented by The Actors Fund to benefit their programs and services.

VALLEY OF THE DOLLS follows the lives of three women - naive New Englander Anne Welles, aspiring singer Neely O'Hara, and buxom beauty Jennifer North - as they attempt to achieve fame and fortune in show business.

As this legendary story unfolds, each starlet discovers that Hollywood is full of pitfalls and heartbreak. Instead of the happiness they seek, the trio descends into a dark world of sex, alcoholism, suicide and a chemical dependence on a variety of prescription "dolls."

Will any of these ingénues survive their "trip" through Hollywood?

Directed by Carl Andress (Die Mommie Die!), tickets for VALLEY OF THE DOLLS are $75, $100 and $150 and are now available visiting www.actorsfund.org or by calling 212-221-7300 ext. 133. All proceeds will benefit The Actors Fund.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund, which supports actors and performers and everyone behind the scenes who works in theatre, film, TV, music, dance, radio and opera, is a safety net, providing social services and emergency assistance, health services, employment and training programs and housing support for those who are in need, crisis or transition. Learn more about The Actors Fund at www.actorsfund.org.