Grove Theater Center to Stage Reading of RACHEL RAY, 5/22

Grove Theater Center (GTC) presents a staged reading of Rachel Ray, playwright Henry Ong's stage adaptation of Anthony Trollope's 19th century novel, on Thursday, May 22 at 7:30pm, as part of its New Play Initiative. GTC Artistic Director, Kevin Cochran, will direct the reading at the theater, located at 1111-b West Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA91506. There will be a post discussion with the playwright following the reading. Admission is free, but reservations are encouraged and can be made at (818) 528-6622.

Rachel Ray is one of Anthony Trollope's most charming love stories, set in a small English provincial town in the luscious Devon countryside. At the center of the story is the sweet natured heroine, Rachel Ray, who is pursued by the dashing Luke Rowan, a brash young man battling for control of the local brewery. Trollope (1815-1882) is a contemporary of Charles Dickens, beloved for his subtle delineation of human character and middle class mores. He penned 47 novels, three times as many as Dickens. His best-known works include Barcester Towers, one of several in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series revolving around life in the imaginary county of Barsetshire; He Knew He Was Right; and The Way We Live Now.

Henry Ong is an internationally-produced playwright whose other credits include last season's Ovation-Recommended Sweet Karma, produced at Grove Theater Center; Madame Mao's Memories; Fabric; The Legend of the White Snake; and People Like Me. He is a member of the Dramatist Guild and The Trollope Society (USA). Participating in the reading are Gigi Birmingham, Channing Chase, Stephanie Erb, Michael Goldstrom, Doug Harvey, Victoria Hoffman, David Allen Jones, Lia Kozatch, Rachel Kauder Nalebuff, Molly O'Leary, Amy Sanders, Frank Simons, Betsy Zajko, Lizzie Zerebko and cellist Longo Chu.