On Saturday, March 5th, the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts will host a live read of Martin McDonagh's, "The Pillowman." The James Franco directed performance will star: Lila O (Ex Machina), Matthew Dewolfe (Mad Max), Mava Szalinski (Suicide Squad), and Spencer Seale (You're the Worst). All proceeds will benefit Mariska Hartigay's Joyful Heart Foundation, a non-profit that helps victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.
Additionally, tickets are available to the after party which will be held at Gotham Bar and Grill, where the audience will have an opportunity to mingle with the cast. Proceeds from the after party will also benefit the Joyful Heart Foundation. Mariska Hartigay is expected to make an appearance at both, as well as give the opening introduction to the small production.
With the popularity of the female reboot in play, and a demand for more roles for females, this read could not be more timely. Franco has placed a press release about the event, and about how he hopes to highlight some gender based aspects to the all-male play with an almost completely female cast. The one lone male, Dewolfe, was also the one with the idea for the project and the one who brought everyone together. He was quoted in the press release as saying, "I approached some friends and the most talented people I knew with the hopes of staging a play that would be otherwise unaccessible to us. I'm really proud of what we accomplished and while I'd love to see more female-driven roles and genderbent productions, I selfishly wanted to be included in this venture."
Bravo on these young performers doing something positive for a change.