In addition to the 6:30 PM gala to be attended by Edward Albee, Dick Latessa and Anne Meara, EST is presenting a free reading series of Guare's plays, which kicked off April 3.
"All of us at E.S.T. are proud to be honoring John Guare as a distinguished member of our company," EST artistic director William Carden said in a statement. "John has had an important impact on theatre in this country and inspired so many of us along the way. I hope the theatre community comes out in force to pay its respect to this extraordinary New Yorker, incomparable American artist and great man of the theater."
Tony-winning director Jerry Zaks will serve as the benefit chair for the gala, which has honorary chairs including Edward Albee, Candice Bergen, Ellen and John Clarkson, Denny Denniston and Christine Thomas, International Creative Management, Bob and Jill Jaffe, Jujamcyn Theaters, Ann Sachs and Roger Morgan, Jerry Saviola/Grey New York, Dorothy Strelsin Foundation, Dominic Chianese and George C. Wolfe.
Upcoming events in the reading series include an evening of one-acts featuring Muzeeka; Woman at a Threshold Beckoning; The General of Hot Desire; Lake Hollywood; and Landscape of the Body (April 10 at 7 PM).
The one-acts will be performed by Maria Gabriele, Haskell King, Julie Fitzpatrick, Dawn Evans, Rob Askins, Chris Ceraso, Martin Shakar, Sakina Jaffrey, Patricia Randell, Scott Sowers, Lois Smith, David Margulies, Joel Rooks, Anne O'Sullivan, Ann Talman, Grant Shaud, Charlotte Cwikowski, Tom Rowan, Katherine Leask, Abigail Gampel, Lou Liberatore, Jared McGuire, Shyko Amos, David Gelles, Molly Carden, Chris Harcum and Eric March. Guare's plays include Six Degrees of Separation, House of Blue Leaves (currently back on Broadway), Four Baboons Adoring the Sun, Landscape of the Body and the book to the musical Sweet Smell of Success. He earned Tony Awards for the book and lyrics to the 1971 musical Two Gentlemen of Verona. His latest work, A Free Man of Color, was staged on Broadway by Lincoln Center Theater last fall.
For gala ticket information phone (212) 247-4982 x115. Visit EnsembleStudioTheatre. EST is located at 549 West 52nd Street.
