On Sunday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT., “General Hospital’s” Carolyn Hennesy (Diane Miller) will be one of several celebrities taking part in a virtual live table reading for the unproduced TV pilot “Half-Assed” by writer/director Tracie Laymon (“Mixed Signals”). The event will benefit #FirstResponderFirst, an initiative organized by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Thrive Global and the CAA Foundation to help support first responder healthcare workers as they serve on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Support provides essential personal protective equipment, accommodations, child care, food, mental health support, and other resources to first responders.
Spearheaded by Laymon of Laymon’s Terms and talent manager/producer David M. Rudy of Armada Partner, who will also serve as executive producer moving forward, the table reading will be directed by Betsy Thomas.
The cast includes Gary Cole, Julie Bowen, Alan Tudyk, Vella Lovell, Brenda Song and Chris Williams, among others. Veteran casting director Tracy Lilienfield (“Will & Grace,” “Grace & Frankie”) played a crucial role in bringing the cast together.
“Being able to support these remarkable first responders who are helping to save our family, our friends and our neighbors is really an amazing endeavor. The money raised will help get the much needed PPE supplies to the doctors and nurses on these COVID-19 frontlines,” said Rudy, who will personally match every dollar donated up to the first $100,000 raised.
“After hearing so many stories of courageous first responders risking their lives, we wanted to find a way to help while also sheltering place at home,” said Laymon. “I hope we can bring people together, make them laugh, and provide assistance for these heroes. I’m so grateful to all the incredible people who came together to make this happen.”
The event will stream live via YouTube tonight, Sunday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT.
To watch the live-stream, make sure to click here. The link directs you to the YouTube video page where the event will be streamed. To submit a donation of any amount that you are able, click here. Donations will be accepted on an ongoing basis for as long support is needed.