Stars give voice to "Dear George" letters 2 nights before election

Rue McClanahan and Rex Reed headline in Dear George: Letters to the President created by Marcus Woollen, playing October 31 and November1 at 7:00 p.m. at Off-Broadway's Culture Project, 45 Bleecker Street as a benefit for The Actors' Fund of America. Broadway favorites Rachel York and Margo Martindale also appear, others to be announced. John Znidarsic directs. Tickets are available through www.TheatreMania.com or (212) 352-3101.

Created by Marcus Woollen and produced by West 50th Street Productions, Dear George: Letters to the President is a compilation of excerpts from more than 1500 open letters written to President Bush between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The non-partisan piece covers issues ranging from Iraq and 9/11 to the economy and gay marriage. Letters were submitted through the website www.DearGeorgeLetters.com and came from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Americans overseas. Project creator Marcus Woollen notes, "What was fascinating in turning these letters into a theatrical piece is that the letters, as written, are far more substantive and issue-driven than anything seen so far in this year's campaign – at the same time, there's a lot of humor from both sides of the political aisle."

40 theaters across the country are also presenting the piece throughout October. "Almost every day between now and the election, Dear George is playing somewhere," says co-producer Robert Driemeyer. "Theatres from Alaska to Florida have come aboard. North Carolina alone has 5 productions, there's even one in Rome." Each theater adds its own touch to the project. Legal Aid workers in Lander, Wyoming staged a performance and donated the proceeds to a local food bank. Gypsy Productions of St. Petersburg, FL rented space across from Katherine Harris' old office in Tallahassee. Many theatres are also encouraging audience members to write their own letters then read them as part of the performance.

More information about Dear George: Letters to the President can be found at the following websites: www.DearGeorgeLetters.com