Studio Dante Benefit Features Tucci, Cooper and Turturro; Bacall Honored March 31

By Adam Hetrick
25 Mar 2008

Stanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci
photo by Aubrey Reuben

Stanley Tucci, Aida Turturro and Chris Cooper will take part in First Readings: A Benefit for Studio Dante on March 31.

The evening will boast the talents of Academy Award winner Chris Cooper, Tony nominee Stanley Tucci, and "Sopranos" stars Vincent Pastore, Aida Turturro, Drea de Matteo, as well as Studio Dante founder and Emmy Award winner Michael Imperioli.

Two-time Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee Lauren Bacall will also be feted as part of the First Readings benefit.

The assembled talent will read selections from the plays when heaven and earth by Anastasia Traina and Squalor by Gina Gionfriddo. First Readings will be held at the Rubin Museum on March 31 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.
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 firstreadings@studiodante.com.

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

For further information visit www.studiodante.com.