Julie White to Host Williamstown Theatre Festival's 2013 Benefit, Honoring Director Scott Ellis, 11/18

Williamstown Theatre Festival announced today that this year's Benefit will honor Award-winning director and frequent WTF collaborator Scott Ellis, on Monday, November 18th at 6:30 p.m. at the Edison Ballroom in New York City (240 West 47th Street). The evening will be hosted by Julie White, who won a Tony Award for her performance in the Ellis-helmed production of The Little Dog Laughed, and will include appearances by Tony Award-winners Chita Rivera, Susan Stroman, Rupert Holmes and more.

"Scott Ellis is one of a few mainstay directors at the Williamstown Theatre Festival over the 12 years I've worked here," Artistic Director Jenny Gersten said. "It brings all of us such sheer joy to celebrate him and his body of work, not only for us but throughout his impressive career. I feel blessed that this will be the way we start the celebration of our upcoming 60th Anniversary season."

Ellis is one of WTF's most popular and beloved directors, having directed nine productions there in the last 15 years, from The Elephant Man and The Understudy to Arthur Miller's The Man Who Had All the Luck and The Rainmaker. On Broadway, Scott has been prolific, directing The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Harvey, Kander and Ebb's Curtains, The Little Dog Laughed, Twelve Angry Men, She Loves Me, Picnic, and many more, receiving six Tony nominations and a Drama Desk Award. Scott's TV directing credits include "Weeds," "Modern Family," "30 Rock" (Emmy nomination), "The Closer," "Two Broke Girls," and the new series "Undatable."

The evening will also feature a live auction of unique travel opportunities, exclusive theatre evenings, and one-of-kind experiences.

The 2013 Benefit is co-chaired by Fredda Harris and Katherine Kollath Peabody, and this year's Artist Committee includes Becky Ann & Dylan Baker, Ty Burrell, Patricia Clarkson, Bradley Cooper, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Victor Garber, Ari Graynor, Jessica Hecht, John Kander, David Lee, Kathleen Marshal & Scott Landis, Nicholas Martin, Terrance McNally & Tom Kirdahy, Debra Monk, Alessandro Nivola, David Hyde Pierce, Susan Stroman and Julie White.

To support the Williamstown Theatre Festival and purchase tickets to "A Tribute to Scott Ellis," visit http://www.wtfestival.org/support/benefit.

Since 1955, the Williamstown Theatre Festival has brought America's finest actors, directors, designers, and playwrights to the Berkshires, engaging a loyal audience of both residents and summer visitors. Each WTF season is designed to present unique opportunities for artists and audience alike, revisiting classic plays with innovative productions, developing and nurturing bold new plays and musicals, and offering a rich array of accompanying cultural events including Free Theatre, Late-Night Cabarets, readings, workshops, and educational programs. While best known for our acclaimed productions, WTF is also home to one of the nation's top training and professional development programs for new generations of aspiring theatre artists and administrators. Now under the leadership of Artistic Director Jenny Gersten, WTF was honored with the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 2002 and the Commonwealth Award for Achievement in 2011.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride