Los Angeles, CA (August 1, 2013) – “The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles
(SCLA) presents its 23rd Annual Simply Shakespeare benefit reading of “The
Two Gentlemen of Verona,” Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at The Broad Stage, Santa Monica. The evening will feature a star-studded cast including Sir Paul McCartney, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and William Shatner.
Additional participants will be announced in the coming weeks. Simply Shakespeare is one of Los Angeles’ most anticipated annual fundraising events and features a hilarious and entertaining evening of impromptu Shakespeare and song.
All proceeds from the event support the SCLA and its arts based veterans
employment and youth employment programs for inner-city youth, arts
education in local schools, and professional union contracted productions at the Japanese Garden on the grounds of the West Los Angeles Veterans Medical Center, that are accessible to all.
“Our organization is so fortunate to have such extraordinary and dedicated
supporters,” said Ben Donenberg, Shakespeare Center Los Angeles founding
Artistic Director. “We are thrilled for their involvement in our annual
Simply Shakespeare production and providing the opportunity to showcase
SCLA’s work and raise funds to support our life-changing programs for
at-risk youth and veterans in our communities.”
Simply Shakespeare previous all-star casts have included Tim Allen, Annette Bening, Kenneth Branagh, Jackson Browne, Billy Crystal, Sally Field, Kelsey Grammer, Neil Patrick Harris, Faith Hill, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Kate Hudson, Helen Hunt, Lisa Kudrow, Lyle Lovett, Steve Martin, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Matthew Perry, David Hyde Pierce, Jada Pinkett Smith, Keanu Reeves, Julia Roberts, Ray Romano, William Shatner, Martin Sheen, Martin Short, Will Smith, Robin Williams and Renee Zellweger.
ABOUT SHAKESPEARE CENTER LOS ANGELES:
Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a vibrant hub of unique programs, performances and events designed to make Shakespeare
accessible and engaging to all. SCLA continues to build community through
its innovative outreach programs including “Will Power to Youth,” an
academic enrichment program that combines hands-on artistic experience with paid job training and arts education for at-risk youth. The program has been nationally recognized for its effectiveness in reducing high school dropout rate and delinquency. More importantly, it instills a lasting sense of creativity and competency in the youth who participate.
SCLA’s “Veterans in Art” program represents an innovation in veterans
programming that explores how the arts can contribute in a meaningful way in the efforts to assist veterans to recover and reintegrate into mainstream Los Angeles civilian life. This summer’s “Shakespeare Under The Stars” professional production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” incorporated a full veteran workforce supporting the production and continues to offer free tickets to active military, veterans and their families and care givers.
For more information on the Simply Shakespeare benefit performance or SCLA, please visit http://www.ShakespeareCenter.org.
The SCLA Simply Shakespeare reading of “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” is
made possible by the support of its premiere sponsor Entertainment Industry Foundation and benefactor sponsor Deutsche Bank.”
One World Cinema
1worldcinema.com
ABELLA Sharon 
