Alec Baldwin returns to Buffalo, NY To Read THE BIG KNIFE 1/27/2012

Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP) today announced what will be a very special evening of theater on January 27, 2012-when Alec Baldwin returns to Buffalo, NY to read Clifford Odets' play The Big Knife in a benefit for RLTP. The event is scheduled to take place at the University at Buffalo (UB) Center for the Arts (CFA) in Amherst, NY, on Friday, January 27, 2012.

The professionally directed staged reading is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) in the CFA Mainstage Theatre. Those holding "VIP" top-tier tickets-either via purchase or event sponsorship-will be invited to a private pre-show cocktail reception, beginning at 5:30 p.m., with a catered dinner to follow, at 6:30 p.m., on the stage of CFA Drama Theatre. Mr. Baldwin will appear at the dinner and read in the play.

The evening's official title, The Return of Alec Baldwin , marks the third time in RLTP's groundbreaking history that Mr. Baldwin has performed in an event to benefit the Buffalo-based non-profit theater. Currently in its eighth year, RLTP has produced more than 20 new and original works by local playwrights; at least three of these plays already have gone on to stage production elsewhere in the country.

Baldwin previously appeared in Buffalo to benefit RLTP in readings of Yasmina Reza's Art (in July 2006) and David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow (in January 2009). RLTP Executive & Artistic Director Scott Behrend heralded Mr. Baldwin's support of RLTP as "a confirmation of his deep and abiding love of the stage and dedication to the art of theater." Baldwin also is a member of RLTP's National Advisory Board.

Baldwin's role as Jack Donaghy on television's comedy hit "30 Rock" has earned him two Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. His career began with an award-winning performance in a Broadway production of Joe Orton's comedy Loot ; he quickly graduated to notable roles on television ("Knots Landing") and the big screen. The Oscar®-nominated actor is well-regarded for both dramatic and comedic turns in films that include Glengarry Glen Ross, Beetlejuice, The Hunt for Red October, The Departed, The Aviator, The Cooler, The Good Shepherd, It's Complicated, and The Royal Tenenbaums . He has hosted 16 episodes of "Saturday Night Live," more than any other guest to date.

Baldwin has continually returned to the stage, starring in a Broadway revival of the comedy The Twentieth Century, an off-Broadway revival of the comedy Entertaining Mr. Sloane , and a highly acclaimed Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' drama A Streetcar Named Desire , for which he received a Tony Award® nomination. In RLTP's production of The Big Knife , he will read the role of Charlie Castle, a role originated on Broadway by John Garfield and played in a 1955 film adaptation by Jack Palance. Castle is a Hollywood icon who yearns for more artistic freedom; his attempts to walk the line between integrity and celebrity place him in conflict with his gorgeous and idealistic wife, Marion, and Mephistophelean studio exec Stanley Shriner Hoff. "Clifford Odets' brilliant, dark satire is a perfect match for Alec's talents, and his interests," said Behrend. "Prepare to be riveted by his portrayal of this principled yet conflicted crusader."

Mr. Baldwin will be joined in the January 27 RLTP benefit reading by a cast of 11 prominent Western New York area actors. Master of ceremonies for the reading will be WBFO radio personality Bert Gambini.

Tickets will go on sale via Ticketmaster on November 1. Tickets for the 8:00 p.m. reading are available for $75 and $60, depending on seating locale. VIP tickets-which include cocktails, dinner, and priority seating in the first five rows for the 8:00 p.m. reading-are $250; VIP seating is limited . All tickets are available through Ticketmaster by phone at 800.745.3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or at all Ticketmaster outlets, including: FYE Stores in the McKinley Mall and the Chautauqua Mall; Shea's Performing Arts Center Ticket Office; and all area Walmart locations in Buffalo and Rochester. Tickets also are available at the UB CFA Box Office Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the performance. For ticket inquiries, please contact the UB CFA Box Office at 716.645.ARTS (2787). The UB CFA Box Office accepts cash, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and UB Campus Cash. The CFA is located on UB's North Campus at 103 Center for the Arts, Amherst, NY 14260. For information about The Return of Alec Baldwin, please visit www.alecbaldwinreturns.com. For information about RLTP, please call 716.629.3069 or visit www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org .

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