Theatre Resources Unlimited will honor writer-producer-director Philip Rose and New Federal Theatre founder and director Woodie King, Jr. with a gala benefit concert featuring three-time Tony winner Hinton Battle and Alice Ripley Nov. 17 at the Florence Gould Hall of the Alliance Francaise. Rose and King, Jr. are the recipients of the 2002 True Spirit of Theatre Award.

Rose not only acted as producer on such works as A Raisin in the Sun, Purlie Victorious and Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?, but also wrote the books to and directed Shenandoah, Purlie and Amen Corner . King, Jr.'s company is a major force for minority voices in New York City and across the country, producing works like For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf since 1970.

Battle will host the TRU event with performances from Ripley, Melba Moore (Les Miserables, Purlie, Hair), Tony winner Trazana Beverley (For Colored Girls...), Joel Higgins (City of Angels, Shenandoah), Norm Lewis (Amour), Nancy Opel (Urinetown), Stephanie Pope (Chicago) and Ken Prymus (Cats). While this ensemble will read from classics like For Colored Girls...., they will also look to the future with songs from TRU's musical development series, including the Civil War-era musical Sugar Dumpling, the Motown-ish family tale The Story of My Father and Valadon, the biography of Impressionist artist and model Suzanne Valadon.

Theatre Resources Unlimited seeks to provide a place for theatre artists to explore and promote their works, while networking with other artists. Their programs include an annual new play and an annual new musical reading series, the producers of color mentoring program and a Commercial Theater Institute scholarship program.

The concert will be held at Alliance Francaise with a reception dinner at The Soul Cafe to follow. Transportation will be provided. For reservations and information, call (212) 714-7628. TRU is on the web at http://www.truonline.org.