The June 13 event at the Acorn Theatre — presented by the Dramatists Guild of America, Inc. and the League of Professional Theatre Women — will feature the talents of Julie Hanson, Marla Schaffel, Lianne Dobbs, David Reed Staller and Mark Whitten. The 4:30 PM afternoon will begin with a panel discussion featuring Jane Eyre producer Pam Koslow and composer Paul Gordon, Edwin Drood composer Rupert Holmes, Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz and Silas' Michael Korie, Bruce Coughlin and Anthony Stein. (Silas is a new musical in development based on the novel "Silas Marner.")
In addition to the aforementioned performers, the one-day-only event will also feature composers Schwartz and Holmes performing their own works. Producer Meridee Stein will host the afternoon with Janet Maltby as keynote speaker. Maltby is the president of the Board of Directors of Young Playwrights, Inc. and former acting director of Music Theatre for the National Endowment for Arts.
The Acorn Theatre is located in Manhattan at 410 West 42nd Street. Although the event is free and open to the public, reservations are required by calling (212) 398-9366, ext. 11.