Directed by Resonance artistic director Eric Parness, the evening will be presented at Theatre Row. The reading will also feature the previously announced David Alan Basche as Algernon, Matthew Cowles as Dr. Chasuble, Deborah S. Craig as Cecily, Patrick Melville as Lane, Jennifer Mudge as Gwendolen, Jeremy Shamos as Jack and Maxwell Zener as Merriman.

The benefit will begin with a reception at 6 PM followed by the 7:30 PM performance.

The Importance of Being Earnest, according to press notes, "focuses on Jack and Algernon, two flippant young men, who, in order to impress their respected beloveds, pretend that their names are 'Ernest,' which both young ladies believe confers magical qualities on the possessor."

Carole Shelley made her Broadway debut as Gwendolyn Pigeon in Neil Simon's The Odd Couple and has since played roles in Cabaret, Show Boat, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, The Miser, Noises Off, The Norman Conquests, Stepping Out, Absurd Person Singular and The Elephant Man. She earned Tony Award nominations for her work in Absurd Person Singular and Stepping Out and won the Tony for The Elephant Man. Shelley was also seen at the Barrington Stage Company as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest.

Tickets, priced at $80, are available by visiting www.resonanceensemble.org. Theatre Row is located in Manhattan at 410 West 42nd Street.