Synopsis: This tale unfolds as a one of lusts. A young Syrian army captain speaks its first words: "How beautiful is the Princess Salome tonight!" Soon, the poor man kills himself when his dream princess throws herself wantonly at Jokanaan, who abusively rebuffs her blandishments. Then the lubricious Herod persuades Salome, daughter of his queen, Herodias, to perform her famous dance. Whereupon, also famously, she demands the head of Jokanaan, or John the Baptist.

Cast:
Al Pacino .... Herod Antipas Tetrarch of Judea
Dianne Wiest .... Herodias, Queen of Judea
Marisa Tomei .... Salome
David Strathairn .... Jokanaan, John the Baptist

Notes:
• Salome: The Reading marked another rare return to the Broadway stage for David.
• David and co-star Marisa Tomei would reteam to participate in several more stage readings.
• It just so happened that, on opening night of Salome: The Reading, David's highly-praised independent film Blue Car was also making its debut. David headed over to the screening party of Blue Car after his opening night performance in Salome.
• David earned a Drama League Award nomination for his performance in Salome.

Critical Praise & Commentary:
• "Playing the prophet Jokanaan (aka John the Baptist), Mr. Strathairn has the pale, wild-eyed look of Bob Dylan at his most visionary and an artificially enhanced voice that could peel flesh." -Ben Brantley, New York Times

• "Strathairn's prophet gives a reason to fear. He is eerily zealous, fiercely contemptuous. His woolly hair backlighted by Thies, to achieve a kind of halo effect, this Jokanaan is almost spooky in his high, pure spirituality." -Malcolm Johnson, Hartford Courant

• "David Strathairn is brilliant in his disgust, the revulsion of a holy man to the 'fatal attraction,' the visceral obsession of his mortal temptress." -Jeannie Lieberman, Theatre Scene

• "...David Strathairn as the righteous prophet whose rejection of Salome costs him his life. Who could wish for anything more?" -Elyce Sommer, Curtain Up

• "Strathairn is full of suitably pious rage as Jokanaan." -Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Enquirer

• "Put these three elements together, add Marisa Tomei, David Strathairn, Diane Wiest and a splendid supporting cast--and put them in an old Brooklyn waterfront warehouse under the bridge of the same name--and you have what must be now the hottest ticket in town..." -Michael Kilian, Chicago Tribune

• "Only Dianne Wiest, dignified and unmoved as Salome's mother, and David Strathairn, believably passionate as Jokanaan, deliver credible performances." -Martin Denton, NY Theatre

• "...David Strathairn as a charisma-challenged but earnest Jokanaan." -Linda Winer, Newsday

Related Links:
http:// Salome: The Reading - Information & Reviews
http:// Al Pacino's Loft - Salome: The Reading