The Workers Circle Hosts Virtual Table Read of ‘An American Tail’ with Star-Studded Cast
Including Jesse Eisenberg, Dulé Hill, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mark Hamill, Richard Kind, Alan S. Kim, Paola Lázaro, Kelly McCreary, Bernadette Peters, Josh Andrés Rivera and Tracie Thoms
All proceeds will go towards the Workers Circle’s efforts to reach voters ahead of the 2026 midterms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2026
Media Contact: The TASC Group
Email: workerscircle@thetascgroup.com
Phone: 347-901-9352
NEW YORK – September 8, 2026: On Thursday, September 10, at 8:30 PM ET the Workers Circle will host a live, virtual celebrity table read of the Academy Award-nominated animated classic, ‘An American Tail.’ The cast includes Jesse Eisenberg, Dulé Hill, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mark Hamill, Richard Kind, Alan S. Kim, Paola Lázaro, Kelly McCreary, Bernadette Peters, Josh Andrés Rivera and Tracie Thoms, among others. The event will be emceed by Ken Jeong and Whoopi Goldberg, who will bring their signature humor, warmth, and energy to the evening.
Tickets are available on a sliding scale from $18 to $72 with all proceeds supporting the Workers Circle's ongoing work to build a more inclusive democracy by defending constitutional rights, protecting immigrants, empowering voters, standing up for justice and sustaining vital programs in communities across the nation.
“‘An American Tail' is a familiar story about the hopes that bring people to this country and the courage it takes to build a better future once they arrive,” said Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle. “The pursuit of freedom and justice has never been easy, but it has always been worth striving for.
“I remember watching An American Tail for the first time as a kid growing up in New York,” said actor Jesse Eisenberg. “It's a story of one family, but also of New York City, the American dream and so much more. I remember how it spoke to the experience of so many families, including my own. To retell this timeless story, we've assembled a team of award-winning actors and performers. I'm excited to lend my voice to this timely and important project.”
“My grandmother was a social worker who worked for the Workers Circle, so this organization is part of my own family’s story,” said Jessica Hecht, best known for her role as Gretchen Schwartz on Breaking Bad. “Today, its mission of preserving democracy in the United States is more important than ever. The Workers Circle has left an indelible imprint on the American story, and I’m proud to be part of carrying that legacy forward.”
During a special intermission conversation, acclaimed journalist Joy Reid will interview Workers Circle Community Catalyst Arianne Betancourt about her ongoing work to shine a light on human rights abuses in immigration detention, including the treatment her father, Justo Betancourt, experienced while detained at the Everglades detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz.
Rounding out the cast are Dan Burke, Chris Coreschi, Amanda Cortinas, Bradley Dean, Malky Goldman, Adam Harrington, Matthew Nardozzi, Allison Posner, Jay Reidl and Abigail Solomon.
Adding even more spirit to the evening, acclaimed klezmer violinist Jake Shulman-Ment will bring the vibrant sound of live klezmer music to this special performance.
The benefit will also feature various musical performances, including a heartfelt rendition of “Somewhere Out There” by Broadway couple Colin Donnell and Patti Murin, and a live acapella performance of “Never Say Never” by Seton Hall’s No Cats Choir.
The film also gave audiences the unforgettable “Somewhere Out There,” recorded by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram, which became a major hit and won two Grammy Awards — Song of the Year and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television — while also earning Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.
The 1986 film was directed by Don Bluth from a screenplay by Judy Freudberg and Tony Geiss; based on a story by David Kirschner, Judy Freudberg and Tony Geiss; with original songs composed by Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann in collaboration with James Horner, who composed the original score. It was produced by Bluth, Gary Goldman and John Pomeroy and executive produced by Steven Spielberg. This special live table reading of An American Tail is directed by award-winning producer Steven Tabakin.
Four decades after its release, the film’s themes of resilience, belonging and belief in a better future continue to resonate with viewers. At a moment when immigrant communities across the country face increased threats of detention, deportation and family separation, the hopes and struggles at the heart of ‘An American Tail’ remain deeply relevant.
The film’s story reflects the same pursuit of freedom and opportunity that shaped the Workers Circle. Founded by Eastern European immigrants fleeing autocracy, the organization’s founders came to America in search of a better life and arrived in a country facing its own moral reckoning. The Workers Circle was born from this contradiction and the belief that communities can come together to build a more just, equitable and inclusive democracy for all.
For over 125 years, the Worker Circle has galvanized people in the fight for democracy, equality and justice. Today, that work means ensuring that no community is left behind and every eligible voter has access to the information they need to participate in our democracy.
Those interested in purchasing tickets or learning more about the event should visit Workers Circle Virtual Benefit 2026: An American Tail. All funds raised will go towards the Workers Circle’s efforts to expand access to voting information and registration ahead of the 2026 midterms, particularly in communities facing increasing barriers at the ballot box. Every dollar raised will help reach a voter — by postcard, text, phone or at their door.
Please contact workerscircle@thetascgroup.com with any questions.
About the Workers Circle
The Workers Circle is a national, secular Jewish social justice organization founded by Eastern European immigrants who fled pogroms and persecutions to seek democratic freedoms and build “a better and more beautiful world for all” at the turn of the 20th century. That history drives our work for human equality and robust democracy today. Our multigenerational activist community of 250,000+ people powers our strategic, non-partisan campaigns to empower voters, strengthen Constitutional rights, and build a durable, grassroots infrastructure to demand the multiracial democracy we need. Core campaigns of the Workers Circle include freedom vigils, talk to your sheriff, democracy circles, and voter empowerment.