Stars of AVENUE Q and ZOMBIE Set For The New York Society Library Readings

Razors Edge Productions and the New York Society Library present Bill Connington (ZOMBIE), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Tony nomination for AVENUE Q), AnnMarie Benedict (ROBESON) and others, who will bring to life two of A.R. Gurney's best-loved plays, both of them witty and touching looks at a segment of American life. A CHEEVER EVENING will be performed Thursday, October 21, and LOVE LETTERS Thursday, October 28, both at 6:30 pm at the New York Society Library, 53 East 79th Street (just east of Madison Avenue, 6 train to 77th Street). These evenings are generously supported by the Estate of Marian O. Naumburg.

The cost is $20 per person for one play, or $35 for both. Reservations can be made at
http://gurneycheeverevening@eventbrite.com or http://gurneyloveletters.eventbrite.com, or by contacting the Events Office at events@nysoclib.org or 212-288-6900 x230.

A CHEEVER EVENING (1994), will feature Bill Connington, Stephanie D'Abruzzo and others. The play is, in Gurney's words, "an evening of scenes and monologues from John Cheever's work, where the first half would focus on stories set in Manhattan and the Westchester suburbs during the winter months, while the second half would deal with vacations, summer houses, and various centrifugal effects on the family."

LOVE LETTERS (1988), will feature Bill Connington and AnnMarie Benedict. The play is "about a fifty-year love affair carried on primarily through letters, written in and about a world where letter-writing was very much an essential mode of communication, especially between men and women."

A.R. ("Pete") Gurney's widely produced plays include THE DINING ROOM, THE COCKTAIL HOUR, RICHARD CORY, INDIAN BLOOD, BUFFALO GAL, And his most recent work, THE GRAND MANNER, which was performed at Lincoln Center. Gurney has won many awards during his career, and is now a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Bill Connington is the adapter and star of the Off-Broadway extended-run, critically acclaimed show ZOMBIE, which played the New York International Fringe Festival, Theater Row and the Gerald W. Lynch Theater in New York. ZOMBIE was adapted from the novella by Joyce Carol Oates and directed by Thomas Caruso. Bill was named the "Best Lead Actor" (OffOffOff Fringe), and "Outstanding Male Actor" (Talkin' Broadway) in addition to ZOMBIE being awarded "Outstanding Solo Show" by FringeNYC. A short film version has been shot in Boston and is currently being submitted to film festivals. (www.zombietheplay.com). Bill has performed in three evenings of Joyce Carol Oates plays at the New York Society Library. He has also performed in New York and regional theater, television, and independent film.

The New York Society Library was founded in 1754 and is the city's oldest library. In the eighteenth century, an organization labeled "Society" meant that it was open to all-available to everyone throughout society. The Library today is open to all for reading, reference, and selected events, with circulation and other services by subscription.

The beautiful landmarked building dates from 1917 and includes reading rooms, spaces for study, stacks, and the Assunta, Ignazio, Ada and Romano Peluso Exhibition Gallery. The Library has approximately 275,000 volumes and hosts a variety of special events, reading groups, and workshops, as well as the New York City Book Awards.

Photo credit: Monica Simoes

Information on the Library and its history can be found at www.nysoclib.org.

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