Who: Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, Gavin Lee, Kerry Butler, Klea Blackhurst, Trista Dollison, Celia Hottenstein, Diana Huey, Troy Iwata, Mason Reeves, Anthony Zambito, Tracy Bidleman, Jason Matthews, Melinda Portages, Chuck Ragsdale
What: Virtual benefit reading and Q&A
Where: Ogunquit Playhouse
When: Wednesday, October 28, suggested donation $20, 7:00
Why: It was bound to happen. How many of us have not at least once made a Brady Bunch joke during a Zoom session? Well, that was the impetus behind the virtual reading of the 2008 show A Very Brady Musical, benefiting Maine’s Ogunquit Playhouse. The cast features Gavin Lee as Mike Brady, Kerry Butler as Carol, Klea Blackhurst as Alice, Trista Dollison as Cindy, Celia Hottenstein as Marcia, Diana Huey as Jan, Troy Iwata as Peter, Mason Reeves as Greg, and Anthony Zambito as Bobby in addition to Tracy Bidleman, Jason Matthews, Melinda Portages, and Chuck Ragsdale as the kids try to prevent their parents from divorcing. The book is by Lloyd J. Schwartz and Hope Juber, with music and lyrics by Hope Juber and Laurence Juber; the show is directed by Richard Israel, with technical direction and video design by Jeremy Handelman.
“As we move through 2020, we are continuing our mission of new works development while celebrating how many of us are spending our lives in the ‘Brady square’ virtual worlds of Zoom and other online platforms,” Ogunquit Playhouse executive artistic director Bradford T. Kenney said in a statement. “Working with our outstanding A Very Brady Musical team, we’re taking what could be a static reading, adding a dash of digital magic, and layering it with that iconic Brady framing to create a unique experience that appeals to every kind of theatergoer.” The reading will take place October 28 at 7:00 and be available for viewing through November 1; the suggested donation is $20. Donations of $100 or more give you access to the live Zoom talkback and Q&A with members of the cast and crew and original Bradys Barry Williams (Greg) and Christopher Knight (Peter).