Winter Play Reading Festival Cast Announced

Third Avenue Playhouse (TAP) announces the cast for the staged reading of “Birthday Boys” by TAP’s own Robert Boles and “Dolores” by Edward Allan Baker. Featuring Ginger Auld, Mark Moede, Katie Lott, and Amy Ensign, the two one-act plays make up the first in a series of eight evenings celebrating play writing as part of TAP’s annual Winter Play Reading Festival. The performance is Feb. 16 at 7:30 pm.

Winner of “The 25th Anniversary Award For Theatrical Excellence” by the Ensemble Studio Theatre, Baker’s “Dolores” gives a peek into the lives of two sisters (Ensign and Lott) as they navigate a crisis. Set in Providence, Rhode Island, the action takes place on a Sunday afternoon in Sandra’s (Lott) kitchen. Her quiet afternoon is interrupted when Dolores (Ensign) bursts in, pleading for refuge.

Published by Dramatists Play Service in 1991, “Dolores” is featured in Best Short Plays Of 1989 and was first performed at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, featuring Joan Allen in the title role.

Boles wrote the evening’s companion piece, “Birthday Boys” while in a playwriting class taught by “Dolores” playwright Edward Allan Baker. The piece developed from a writing exercise Baker assigned his students. They were to look through the newspaper and choose an article on which to base a play.

A study of the love between a mother and son, “Birthday Boys” was part of new play festivals in Massachusetts and Florida and won the Lipkin prize. “Birthday Boys” features Mark Moede and Ginger Auld.

Take in a new play every day during the Winter Play Reading Fest, Feb. 16-19 and 23-26. Performances take place at 7:30 pm Thursday through Saturday and at 2 pm on Sunday. Admission is pay-what-you-can at the door. For more information visit thirdavenueplayhouse.com.