When all of the elements are in place — an intelligent script, charismatic actors, precise timing — the experience of a staged reading can be as magical as a full-fledged production. As part of the audience, you forget that they even have scripts in front of them as you get drawn into the characters and the story. This was the case for me at the reading of Craig Wright’s The Pavilion, part of the Daytime Stars and Strikes 2023 NYC charity fan event weekend. Since this was an informal performance, sure, hilarious off-the-cuff occurrences happened throughout, but there were also many moments that were rich in poetry and profound emotion. This was a real treat, especially for the As The World Turns fans who so dearly miss the storylines and talented roster of actors from the canceled daytime television show.

Daytime Stars and Strikes has been a popular annual event in New York City for the past 20 years. Established by Jerry verDorn (Ross Marler of Guiding Light and Clint Buchanan of One Life to Live) and Elizabeth Keifer (Blake Marler of Guiding Light), the charity raises awareness and funds for autism. When Jerry passed away last year in May, the Jerry verDorn Scholarship Fund was created to continue his legacy. The scholarship sends individuals on the autism spectrum to theatre camps, which helps with social skills, visual cues and communication through role playing.

Michael Park, Jennifer Ferrin, Roger Horwath and Trent Dawson of As The World Turns

As part of the line-up for this year’s event, Trent Dawson brought his directorial skills to the forefront with this reading. Formerly “Henry Coleman” on ATWT — Trent is now Artistic Director of Katonah Classic Stage, a nonprofit professional theatre company in Northern Westchester. He brings The Pavillion to life with his trio of co-stars, bringing out humor, philosophy and bittersweet romance.

The story takes place in a small midwestern town at the title landmark pavilion, a historic dance hall where the lives of ex-sweethearts Peter and Kari intertwine once more to form a pattern of love and loss. Peter returns to his twenty-year high school reunion with dreams of winning back Kari, the girl he left behind after an unexpected pregnancy ended their relationship. Kari is now an unhappily married woman, embittered by the past. Through a host of other characters all played by a virtuosic Narrator, the couple are led to face the consequences of choices made long ago.

Michael Park with Laurie Baker (author)
Laurie Baker (author) with Roger Howarth

Michael Park (Jack Snyder, ATWT) tackles the challenging multiple roles of Narrator and supporting characters with energy, hilarity, assurance and skill. In the hands of a lesser actor, the story easily could have become confusing with who was who…but Michael takes you along for the ride.

Roger Howarth (Paul Ryan, ATWT) crafted a vivid and sensitive portrayal of Peter — a man who regards everything that stands in the way of his fantasy as a minor obstacle the universe has thrown in his path. Special treat: we got to see Roger sing and play the guitar as part of the reading.

Jennifer Ferrin (Jennifer Munro, ATWT) played Kari with multiple layers. At first glance, Kari is mainly consumed with raw anger and pain at seeing her ex-boyfriend again. But as the relationship and play progresses, we see glimpses of the girl that once was and perhaps a future happiness that could still be had.

Trent Dawson, Laurie Baker (author) and Jennifer Ferrin

On a personal note, in this time of pandemic and divisive politics and climate change, seeing this reunion of the daytime community in New York City has been a breath of fresh air. Art, fun, socialness, charity, favorite actors…what is not to love? I hope more events like this return to the Big Apple. In fact, I hope more soap opera productions will return to New York City. The daytime audience still exists here — even after the loss of such great shows as Guiding Light, One Life to Live, All My Children and As the World Turns. The audience is still here; and we miss our stories!