Ebersole and Ivey will play, respectively, Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I in the reading of the new play at Theatre Row’s Lion Theatre. Directed by Leonard Peters, the by-invitation-only reading is scheduled for 3 PM.

Produced by The Storyline Project LLC, Dearest Cousin is set on the eve of Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution. Elizabeth I visits her on this evening and offers a scheme to save her life. A New York production of the play is scheduled for the 2003-2004 theatre season.

The conflict between Mary and Elizabeth has been the subject of many plays, including Schiller's classic Mary Stuart.

Currently starring in Talking Heads at the Minetta Lane Theatre, Christine Ebersole received a 2003 Tony nomination for her performance in Lincoln Center’s recent production of Dinner at Eight. She also received a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her work as Dorothy Brock in the hit revival of 42nd Street. Ebersole’s other Broadway credits include The Best Man, Getting Away with Murder, Harrigan 'n Hart, Camelot, Oklahoma!, On the Twentieth Century, I Love My Wife, Angel Street and the City Center Encores! productions of A Connecticut Yankee, Ziegfeld Follies of 1936, Lady in the Dark and Allegro.

Judith Ivey is a two-time Tony Award winner for her roles in Steaming and Hurlyburly. She also received a nomination for her performance in Park Your Car in Harvard Yard, and her other Broadway credits include the recent revival of Follies, Voices in the Dark, Blithe Spirit, Precious Sons, Piaf and Bedroom Farce.