Alec Baldwin, Matt Damon Lead Staged Reading of Kenneth Lonergan Play to Help Save NYC Arts Landmark

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Alec Baldwin and Matt Damon led a special staged reading of the play Hold On to Me Darling, written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan, on Oct. 27, 2025. The event was hosted by the Center at West Park at The Sanctuary at St. Paul & St. Andrew on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

Alec Baldwin, Matt Damon. Photo by Alexander Mendoza/ The Center at West Park

Joining Baldwin and Damon were actors J. Smith-Cameron, Charles Everett, Peter Friedman, Lucas Hedges, and Gretchen Mol.

The reading was part of The Center at West Park’s fall benefit series to help save the West Park Presbyterian Church. The 135-year-old landmark is one of New York City’s last affordable arts and community hubs and is facing demolition to make way for luxury development.  Theater producer and director Joe Papp began his theater company at The Center at West Park. The arts hub has hosted over 75 artist residencies serving over 600 artists in the past six years alone.

Matt Damon, Kenneth Lonergan. Photo by Alexander Mendoza/ The Center at West Park

Following the reading, director Neil Pepe joined the cast for a conversation moderated by Lonergan, who has directed four Oscar-nominated performances.

The next Center at West Park benefit is set for Nov. 17, when Scarlett Johansson and J. Smith-Cameron will star in a staged reading of All About Eve, featuring a cast that includes Alec Baldwin, Charles Busch, Charles Everett, John Benjamin Hickey, Michael Mastro, Nicole Ari Parker, Ela Stiller, and Marc Shaiman on piano.

WHERE: Center at West Park in residence at The Sanctuary at St. Paul & St. Andrew, 263 W. 86th St., New York, NY 10024
For more information, visit: centeratwestpark.org