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POSTPONED: Reading of 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD to Benefit Gallery 202

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Posted: Monday, February 14, 2011, 12:48pm

Update: We regret to announce that this event has been postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Curtain Players community theatre company will offer a staged reading of the play 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD on March 19 and 20 at Gallery 202, Partners in Arts, Inc., 38 North State Street (upstairs), Uptown Westerville.

The reading benefits Gallery 202′s children's art programs. Gallery 202 provides rent-free space to Curtain Players for auditions and rehearsals. The theatre company’s presentation is a thank-you to its partner.

A cast of Central Ohio actors will read 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD at 7PM Saturday, March 19, and again at 2PM Sunday, March 20, in Gallery 202′s intimate gallery/studio space. The Saturday performance includes a wine tasting offered by Meza Wine Shop; the Sunday matinee, a chocolate sampling by Chocolaterie Stam. Meza and Chocolaterie Stam are Uptown Westerville businesses. Tickets are $15 each or two for $25. Seating is limited so advance orders are encouraged. Call Gallery 202 at (614) 890-8202 or write programs@gallery202online.com.

Adapted for the stage by James Roose-Evans, 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD is based on the true story of Helene Hanff who as a struggling New York writer for 20 years, from 1949 to 1969, carried on a remarkable correspondence with the staff of the London bookshop Marks & Co. The correspondence began as an innocent inquiry about fine book editions, but became a chronicle of an era as well as a record of a deep friendship.

Jane Mowder and Ken Erney take the respective leading roles of Helene Hanff and Frank Doel, the bookshop manager with whom she shares the letters. Mowder has performed in many Central Ohio theatre productions, training videos, and independent and feature films including SMART PEOPLE with Dennis Quaid. Erney is a CATCO veteran (THE SEAFARER, THE WEIR, ORPHANS) who is appearing in Solstice Theatre Company’s current production, REFERENCES TO SALVADOR DALI MAKE ME HOT.


Micah Jenkins, Kim Sanders, Sonda Staley, Jill Taylor, Drew Washburn, and Marla Williams complete the 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD cast. Taylor, who initiated Curtain’s partnership with Gallery 202 when she needed rehearsal space for OUR TOWN which she directed, serves as producer for this project.

Jim Petsche, Curtain Players president, directs the reading. “Gallery 202′s cost-free rehearsal space is a genuine gift to our non-profit community theatre,” said Petsche, acknowledging the value of the partnership. Curtain Players stages six shows each season at its 5691 Harlem Road playhouse. The current season is the company’s 48th.

Renee Kropat, executive director of Gallery 202, said the partnership with Curtain Players incorporates performing arts into her non-profit agency’s longstanding efforts to provide a wide variety of community arts experiences for Westerville residents of all ages.

“We’re excited to have Curtain Players here,” said Kropat, noting Gallery 202′s goal to build Westerville’s reputation as an arts community. Events like this reading do that, she said, adding it also reminds local residents that Westerville has a strong local theatre of its own for its entertainment and enjoyment.

Kropat suggested 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD for the benefit. A fan of the 1987 film version with Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft, Kropat likes that is a true story, a love story of sorts forged on a passion for arts and letters shared long distance and over time.

“In the same way there is that strong link between the characters in the play, I hope we can establish lasting links among artists here,” she said.