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	For Immediate Release: May 17, 2011 By Ann Farthing Fredric M. Sinclair May 17, 2011 http://www.fredricsinclair.com/lethe-press-release/ PLAYSMITHS is pleased to announce the cast for their staged reading of LETHE, a full-length drama written by New York author Fredric Sinclair. All proceeds from this reading will benefit Safe Horizon, the nation's leading provider of services for survivors of violence. Cast in the lead role of Harry is Austin Mitchell, a young actor with extensive off-Broadway credits including ELECTRA IN A ONE-PIECE last fall and April's I AM A MOON at Columbia Stages. Starring opposite Austin as Elizabeth is Helen McTernan, who made her Broadway debut in BRIGADOON at the Shubert Theatre and toured in A CHRISTMAS CAROL with TheatreworksUSA. Appearing in the pivotal role of Uncle Dan is Greg Oliver Bodine, a veteran of off-Broadway with a long list of regional theatre credits. Rounding out the cast are Collin Biddle, Rebecca Gray Davis, Abe Lebovic, Carl Conway Maguire, Marc Sinoway, and Mary C. Wilson. The LETHE reading will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2011, at the Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South, New York City. Tickets are available via Brown Paper Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/160438. Set in contemporary New York City, LETHE is the story of Harry, a young man struggling to conquer demons in both his memories and his daily life. As a child, Harry was told stories of ancient Greek gods and fancied himself Apollo, strong and terrible and not troubled with thinking or feeling like a mortal human. This coping mechanism worked in his youth, but now that he's a man riding the subway to work everyday he looks for help in other places, including prayer and liquor. Can Harry's demon memories be washed away, or can he face his past, and his future, with his mind cleansed of doubt and full of hope: that is the central question of LETHE. Fredric Sinclair has authored numerous plays including Aiken in Cyberspace, Friend and most recently Maca High. He also writes novels, including American Sampler, and songs with his band THE LIABILITY. Fredric joined Playsmiths at its inception, and is delighted to have the opportunity to workshop LETHE for the benefit of Safe Horizon. Donations for admission to this event are $25. For $50, audience members are invited to attend a wine and cheese reception preceding the event, with an opportunity to meet the actors, writer, director, and members of the Safe Horizon staff. The audience is invited to stay after the reading for a talk back with representatives from Safe Horizon as well as the production team. All proceeds benefit Safe Horizon (www.safehorizon.org), the nation's leading victim assistance, advocacy, and violence prevention organization with more than 60 programs operating in all five boroughs of New York. Safe Horizon's mission is to provide support, prevent violence, and promote justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families and communities. "Sexual abuse is rampant in society, and yet there's still such a stigma surrounding it," notes Mr. Sinclair. "LETHE attempts to bridge that gap by taking the audience on a journey that people otherwise might never experience. By partnering with a dedicated organization like Safe Horizon, we open up the dialog about sexual abuse beyond the confines of the play and into the community-at-large, where these issues are very real, daily occurrences." Thanks to both corporate and individual donations, Safe Horizon provides hotlines, shelters, drop-in centers, Child Advocacy Centers, court and community offices, and many other services that provide help, hope, and healing. Safe Horizon supports children, women, men, and families affected by domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, human trafficking, and homeless youth and families of homicide victims. Contact Safe Horizon at 800.621.HOPE (4673) or visit www.safehorizon.org; you can also email for help at help@safehorizon.org. General Inquiries? Email info@safehorizon.org. Founded in May 2009, Playsmiths has been meeting on a weekly basis in New York City to provide an encouraging and productive environment for playwrights, where, working with directors and actors, new material can be developed into fully realized productions. "Safe Horizon believes that talking frankly about violence is one way to remove the stigma and encourage the healing process. LETHE addresses the effects of child abuse in a voice both straightforward and poetic, and its production encourages open discussion. Playsmiths is thrilled to raise funds on their behalf," notes Ann Farthing, Artistic Director, one of the founders of the group, and director of the staged reading for LETHE. Contact: playsmiths@gmail.com
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