Staged Reading "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been

On June 9 and 11, the Middletown-based Vintage Players presents a staged reading of "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been", the 1972 play by Eric Bentley. Performances are 8 p.m. both nights and take place in the Main Auditorium of Congregation Adath Israel, 8 Broad Street in Middletown. Donations suggested at the door after the reading.

Bentley's play is based on the transcripts of the hearings held by the House Un-American Activities Committee from 1947-58.  The committee focused its investigations on real and suspected communists in positions of actual or supposed influence in the United States society. Actors, screenwriters and producers, many from Hollywood, testified before HUAC and a good number had their careers either ruined or put on hold for several decades.  Many have heard or read about "The Hollywood Ten" but, by the time the hearings ran their course, over 300 people were boycotted by the studios. 

During the course of the reading, the audience will hear the words of writers Abe Burrows and Lillian Hellman, actors Larry Parks, Sterling Hayden and vocalist, actor, and civil rights activist Paul Robeson (among others.)

Director Carolyn Kirsch rediscovered the play during the midst of New York Representative Peter King's "Muslim Hearings" in the Congressional House of Representatives this past March. The eloquent testimony of Minnesota Democratic Representative Keith Ellison, the first Muslim-American ever elected to the House, spurred Kirsch to look into presenting this reading.  The cast includes Bob Alexander, Carlton Winslow, Charlie Rich, Richard Kamins, Nat Holmes, Vijay Pinch, Rick Nelson, Myron Gubitz, Pat Murray and Terri Klein with the offstage assistance of Cora Rodenhizer, Naomi Kamins, Peggy Welsh, Marian Katz and Producer Jane McMillan.

For reservations and more information, call Richard Kamins at 860-632-1067 or Jane McMillan at 860-346-1377.