Studio Dante, founded by Emmy Award winner Michael Imperioli and his wife Victoria, presents a benefit reading of two new works when heaven and earth by Anastasia Traina and Squalor by Gina Gionfriddo.

The evening, which boasts the talents of Academy Award winner Chris Cooper, Tony nominee Stanley Tucci, and "Sopranos" stars Vincent Pastore, Aida Turturro, Drea de Matteo, and Michael Imperioli, also fetes two-time Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee Lauren Bacall.

First Readings takes place at the Rubin Museum at 6:30 PM. The evening kicks off with cocktails and a light supper to be followed by the selected readings and a tribute to stage and screen actress Lauren Bacall. A post-performance and dessert reception will follow at 9 PM.

Lauren Bacall was last on Broadway in Waiting in the Wings. She earned Tony Awards for her performances in the Broadway musicals Applause and Woman of the Year and also appeared in Goodbye Charlie and Cactus Flower. Among her celebrated screen credits are "To Have and Have Not," "The Big Sleep," "Key Largo," "How to Marry a Millionaire," "Written on the Wind," "The Mirror Has Two Faces," and "Dogville."

Built by Imperioli and his wife Victoria, Studio Dante was created as a space to present new progressive works in a setting inspired by traditional 19th-century venues. Works produced there include Baptism By Fire, Ponies, Henry Flamethrowa, Late Fragment, Cyclone, Dark Yellow, The Given, Chicken, The Joke and Sisters, Such Devoted Sisters. Tickets, ranging $150-$1000, are available by phoning (877) 542-6633, or by e-mailing [email protected].

The Rubin Museum is located at 150 West 17th Street, in Manhattan.

For further information visit www.studiodante.com.