Bates, Falco, Rivera, Etc. to Star in Master Class Benefit

Legendary opera star Maria Callas will be channeled by a number of stars on Monday, June 19th at the Broadhurst Theatre at 7 PM.

A benefit for the Metropolitan Opera Guild, it will star Kathy Bates, Dixie Carter, Edie Falco, Swoosie Kurtz, Chita Rivera, and Leslie Uggams as Callas; they will each perform part of Terrence McNally's Master Class. In addition, the benefit will feature Jay Hunter Morris and David Loud, who were in the original cast, as well as Sherry Boone and Donna Lynne Champlin. The play's director, Leonard Foglia, will also helm the benefit.

Tony Award-winner McNally will serve as the evening's guest of honor alongside Zoe Caldwell, who won a Tony Award (adding to three previous ones) for creating the role of Callas in the play. Master Class, which opened on November 5th, 1995 and ran for 598 performances at the John Golden Theatre, featured Carter and Patti LuPone as Caldwell's successors. The show also won 1996 Tony Awards as Best Play and for Best Featured Actress in a Play Audra McDonald.

A gala supper at the Marriott Marquis Hotel will follow the performance.

Tickets range from $85 to $1,000. Call 212-769-7009 or visit www.metguild.org for more information.