Lynn Redgrave to perform at Food For Thought Oct.7

Lynn Redgrave will star in the October 7 reading of her new one-woman play, Nightingale, based on the life of her maternal grandmother, as part of the FOOD FOR THOUGHT season at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South at 20th Street).

Redgrave will also reunite with cast members from Talking Heads. Last season's critically acclaimed off-Broadway work featured Redgrave, Kathleen Chalfant, Christine Ebersole and Frances Sternhagen; they will perform excerpts from the show's monologues. Following the performance, the cast will present a special playwriting fellowship in their names to a local student.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Lunch Hour Theatre is dedicated to presenting new works and showcasing works by an eclectic mix of playwrights. This innovative midday play-reading series serves up lunch and literature with respected actors reading works by both emerging and established playwrights. A total of 19 one-act plays over 26 performance dates will include works by August Wilson, George S. Kaufman, Lillian Hellman, Susan Charlotte, Pinter, Sartre, Schnitzler, Chekhov, Williams, Anouilh and Shaw. The acting company includes Marcia Gay Harden, Treat Williams, Rosie Perez, Campbell Scott, Danny Aiello, Kathleen Turner and Marian Seldes, among others.

Performances take place through December 20 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (see attached schedule) at the National Arts Club and includes a buffet lunch. Immediately following each reading, audience members are invited to participate in a question and answer session with the cast and director.

The evening Cocktail Hour series, held one Friday a month at 5:30 p.m., begins October 22 and runs through June 17. Works by Shaw, Shakespeare, Wilde, Agatha Christie, Steve Martin and Tom Stoppard will be featured. Each reading is preceded by a wine and cheese reception and followed by a question and answer session with the cast and director.

Now in its fifth year, FOOD FOR THOUGHT is presented by Susan Charlotte, artistic director and playwright, and Barry Minsky, in association with The National Arts Club. Its resident directors are Melvin Bernhardt and Austin Pendleton.

Tickets are $47 for regular shows (includes lunch). Subscription packages are also available. For tickets and information please call (212) 362-2560.