LA Actors' Fund Casablanca Benefit Delayed Until October

Due to insurmountable scheduling problems, the All Star reading of CASABLANCA at the Pantages theater has been postponed to 4:00pm on Sunday October 2nd. This takes into account the availability of both the Pantages Theater and the current existing cast, whom have all expressed a desire to remain with the production.

"The Actors Fund is very confident of the success of this future production due to the support we have already received from a dedicated cast, crew, production team and audience given the impressive advance ticket sales. We look forward to bringing the community a top rate production with remarkable talent as previously experienced in our productions of All About Eve and Sunset Boulevard"--David Michaels, Director of Special Events and Public Relations, Western Region

Previously announced casting for the event included: Theodore Bikel as CARL, James Cromwell as Major Strasser, Andre De Shields as SAM, Neil Patrick Harris as JAN BRANDEL, Edward Herrmann as FERRARE, Sir Ben Kingsley as LOUIE RENAULT, and Jennifer Tilly as YVONNE.

The public's reception was extraordinary to the 2003 reading of Joseph L. Mankiewicz's All About Eve, with Stockard Channing, Kirk Douglas, Calista Flockhart and Tim Curry and was only equaled by last year's all-star reading featuring Anjelica Huston, Patrick Wilson and Sir Ben Kingsley in Sunset Boulevard. The questions on everyone's lips are: Who will utter the famous words "Here's looking at you kid" originated by Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine. And who will tackle the role made famous by ultimate femme fatale, Ingrid Bergman, as Ilsa Lund, who put the line "Play it, Sam. Play As Time Goes By" on the lips of moviegoers everywhere.

The Actors' Fund is the only national social service organization that assists members of the entertainment community in every sector of the industry. With a broad spectrum of programs, including health care services, a comprehensive AIDS initiative, supportive housing and a woman's health initiative, The Actors' Fund is the safety net that the entire entertainment community - from film editors and screenwriters, to musicians and dancers -- can depend on. The Fund provides these essential services to over 14,000 people yearly with the same indomitable spirit that they have demonstrated for over 120 years. For more information about The Fund call 323.933.9244 or visit www.actorsfund.org.