Tyne Daly and John Cullum Join 'Project Shaw' Readings

PROJECT SHAW, now in its third of four years, continues tackling every play Shaw ever wrote with its 28th presentation. This month, two outrageous one-acts that take on all of Russia: GREAT CATHERINE (in which Tyne Daly will play the legendary Empress) and ANNAJANSKA, THE WILD GRAND DUCHESS (which takes place during the Russian revolution of 1917). It will all happen on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South. David Staller is producer and director. Michael Riedel of the New York Post will host and narrate the event.

In GREAT CATHERINE, Tyne Daly becomes Russia's most infamous Empress. John Cullum, as a dissolute Russian prince, does his best to maneuver his way around her while a shy British Emissary (Tony Yazbeck) tries to convey news about the newly begun American Revolution. Also in the cast will be Matthew Arkin, Alison Fraser, Nick Wyman, Lacey Kohl, Ashley Wren Collins and Liz Morton.

ANNAJANSKA, The Wild Grand Duchess takes us to the dawn of the Russian Revolution. While the huge Russian Empire is crumbling, a surviving member of the royal family (Tyne Daly) does her best to convince the doubting General in charge (John Cullum) that she actually wants to join the revolutionary cause.

Tickets are only $20 and are available after the first of the month. Call TheaterMania at 212-352-3101 or log onto www.PROJECTSHAW.com.

THESE PERFORMANCES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The Players is New York's most legendary private club. The former residence of Edwin Booth, it was became a club for those interested in the arts in 1888.

Photo Credit Peter James Zielinksi