Eleanor Reissa will direct the 8 PM reading at Caroline's on Broadway that will feature Johnston (So Help Me God!) as the legendary stripper. The Mint reveals that the reading will feature "the original, unadulterated script" of The Naked Genius.

In addition to Morgan (Memphis), Abramovitz and Lage (Speed the Plow), the reading will include Mary Ellen Ashley, Dale Carmen, Matthieu Cornillon, Margaret Daly, Linda Gabler, Jennifer Harmon, Kate Levy, Dani Marcus, Chris Mixon, Saxon Palmer, Kraig Swartz, Sheila Stasack, Peter Van Wagner and Virginia Wing.

According to the Mint, "The Naked Genius, tells the story of a burlesque performer named Gypsy Rose Lee — author of a recently published memoir entitled 'I'll Bare All.' The cast of characters includes her manager, her mother, her publisher, four Chihuahuas and Ramona the Baby Chimp. It's a sweet farce about the struggle Gypsy faces between her desire for respectability and her burlesque roots."

Originally titled The Ghost in the Woodpile, the play's original producer renamed the production The Naked Genius and cast Joan Blondell (much to Lee's public displeasure) in the role of Honey Bee Carroll. Lee had written the part for herself. George S. Kaufman staged the play that ran for 36 performances at the Plymouth Theatre on Broadway.

Lee's son, Erik Preminger, and Anne Kaufman (whose father directed the original production of the play) will serve as co-chairs of the benefit that will begin with dinner at 6 PM at Caroline's on Broadway. For tickets phone (212) 315-0231 or visit MintTheater.