Buscemi, Falco, Sciorra, Martin and More Take Part in Studio Dante Benefit, March 20

Hosted by Studio Dante and presented by Architectural Digest, First Readings: A Benefit For Studio Dante will take place on Monday, March 20 at the Dahesh Museum of Art.

The benefit evening will premiere two short plays read by "The Sopranos" stars Michael Imperioli, Steve Buscemi, Edie Falco, Steve Schirripa and Annabella Sciorra, as well as "Law and Order" and Rent star Jesse L. Martin.

At 6:30 PM, the evening will begin with cocktails, light supper and a silent auction. The performance and a live auction led by Steve Schirripa will follow at 7:45 PM. A special tribute to Seymour Cassel and Ben Gazzara presented by professor Richard Brown wil be presented at a post-performance reception at 9:00 PM.

"Studio Dante, built by Michael and Victoria Imperioli, was conceived to house progressive new plays in a setting inspired by the grand architecture and design of traditional 19th century venues," according to press notes.

For the last decade, Imperioli has produced, directed and acted on New York stages. For Studio Dante, he directed the company's inaugural production, Baptism by Fire. Studio Dante is the latest installment of Victoria Imperioli's design work. Having studied architecture and design at the School of Visual Arts and NYU, she has been involved in various projects in both the US and Europe since the early 90s.

"Studio Dante is committed to writers who exhibit a fresh point of view and have the courage to investigate difficult emotional terrain." Past productions include Baptism By Fire and Ponies (2004), Henry Flamethrowa and Late Fragment (2005). Next up is Cyclone by Ron Fitzgerald, directed by Brian Mertes. Cyclone will play at Studio Dante (257 W. 29th Street) from March 15th through April 8th.

The Dahesh Museum of Art is located at 580 Madison Ave at 56th Street. Tickets: $1,000 Patron Tickets (priority seating, 2 tickets to upcoming Studio Dante production) / $500 Sponsor Tickets (full benefit evening) / $150 Tickets (post-Performance reception, 9:00 PM onward).

Tickets can be arranged at (212) 239-4500 or by e-mailing: meg@studiodante.com. For more information, visit www.StudioDante.com. For tickets to the readings or the post-performance reception, call (212) 239-4500 or email meg@studiodante.com.