Soap opera fans are about to be treated with a once-in-a-lifetime moment: the cast of As the World Turns is reuniting to perform the final episode of the CBS drama that sadly went off the air back in 2010.
At least 26 veteran cast members -- including Larry Bryggman (John Dixon), Don Hastings (Robert Hughes), Kathryn Hays (Kim Hughes), Elizabeth Hubbard (Lucinda Walsh), and Michael Park (Jack Snyder) -- plus some surprise guests (!!!) -- have signed on to participate in the reading, which is set to take place virtually on Wednesday, October 28th, at 8PM EST.
The special fundraiser will benefit Katonah Classic Stage, where Trent Dawson (Henry Coleman) is the founding artistic director.
"Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on many industries across the globe. The theatre industry has been hit particularly hard and actors, directors, designers, crew, and all of the other businesses that support live events, are struggling to stay afloat," says an official press release. "The cast of As the World Turns is coming together to support Katonah Classic Stage (KCS), a professional, non-profit theatre company an hour north of NYC, which was founded by ATWT alum, Trent Dawson. The goal is to raise funds to hire actors, musicians, and all the crew necessary to produce live performances when it is safe to do so."
Fans interested in watching the ATWT reading can click here to make a $15 tax-deductible donation that will allow them to receive a link to watch the event, which will be live-streamed for fans only on The Locher Room's YouTube channel. Fans will also have the opportunity to comment and ask questions of the cast.
Says Dawson, "I am so grateful that the ATWT family has come together to support live theatre. It will be wonderful to see all of my friends and colleagues together again!"
He continues, "Classic plays are still performed not because they're studied in English class, but because they're some of the greatest things ever written. When put into professional hands, the classics can lift the human spirit in a remarkable way. Imagine your favorite piece of music, whether it's Mozart, or Abbey Road, or Rhianna, or whatever does it for you. That feeling you get when you hear that music -- that lifting, transformational, thrilling effect? Imagine that happening with a play while sitting next to 200 other people who are experiencing the same thing you are. Imagine how that can bring people together at a time when the country and the world desperately needs a sense of community. We hope to bring this to you."
For the full recap of ATWT's final episode, check out Soap Central's original summary here.
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