UPDATE: The producers of the play announced this morning (7/6/11) that Judith Light will not be making the trip. This is incredibly disappointing news.

Fresh off its surprisingly successful run on Broadway here in New York, the producers of the hit play "Lombardi" are set to bring a staged reading version of the play about Vince Lombardi's time with the Green Bay Packers to Green Bay and Appleton from July 26th - 30th.

As someone who saw the play several times during its run at the Circle In the Square theater, I can give the play an enthusiastic thumbs up. Here is part of my review that ran over on Yahoo! Sports when the play opened:

...while the football is great, it is nowhere near the best part of the play. That distinction belongs to the relationship between Lauria and Light as Vince and Marie. It can't be overstated. There won't be a night that "Lombardi" plays when several wives don't turn to their husbands and give them a playful "That's just like you!" jab when presented with Lombardi's single-mindedness. There also won't be a night when those same husbands and wives recognize a real married couple of many, many years, a couple who know love in a way that seems to have disappeared in this country of the 50 percent divorce rate.

What Vince and Marie share on the stage at Circle in the Square is unconditional and forgiving of fault - a surprise when you think about how unforgiving Lombardi was. But that complexity is part of what makes the man - and the play named after him - such a fascinating story.

I wanted to highlight Lauria and Light in this post because of the fact that they will be traveling, along with the rest of the original cast, to Wisconsin for these readings. If you live in or will be visiting the Fox Valley area at the end of July, you simply have to take advantage of this opportunity to see two expert actors at the height of their craft.

For those who may be unfamiliar, "readings" are generally conducted sans sets or costumes, with only the actors and their interpretations of the roles on display. Tony Ponturo, one of the shows producers, told me that the actors will be wearing "minimal costumes" for these readings, which is great news - the costumes are fantastic and Lombardi's overcoat and fedora are as much a part of his mystique as his volcanic temper.

Again, if you are a Packer fan and are going to be in the area toward the end of July, do not miss this event. It promises to be fantastic. Details as follows:

Tickets for the Lambeau Field Atrium readings can be purchased through Ticketmaster, as well as the Packers’ ticket office. Tickets for the readings at the Performing Arts Center in Appleton can be purchased at the P.A.C. ticket office, through Ticketmaster and at www.foxcitiespac.com.

The Atrium readings begin at 7:30 p.m. The readings at the P.A.C. are 7:30 p.m. on July 28, 29-30, and also at 2 p.m. on July 29-30.