By Amy Lipson
06 Nov 2009

Academy Award winners Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline joined forces Nov. 2 for The Lover and the Poet, a benefit performance for The Acting Company.

Kline, a founding member and board director of The Acting Company, conceived and directed the evening. The Acting Company is now celebrating its 37th season. In a statement Kline said, "My four years touring the country with The Acting Company was worth 20 on the New York stage. It completely shaped who I am as an actor and it must continue." Founded in 1972 by John Houseman and Margot Harley, others who began their careers on tour with The Acting Company include Patti LuPone, Rainn Wilson, Frances Conroy, Jeffrey Wright, Jesse L. Martin, David Ogden Stiers, Hamish Linklater and Harriet Harris.

The special event took place at Florence Gould Hall, which is located in Manhattan at 55 East 59th Street.

Here are some photos taken from the evening:

View the Entire Photo Gallery Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline Photo by Aubrey Reuben