Met Opera Guild To Present Starry Master Class Benefit on Broadway

The Metropolitan Opera Guild will present a one-night-only staged reading of Terrence McNally's Master Class on June 19 at the Broadhurst Theatre. A roster of actresses will share the role of opera great Maria Callas during the evening, including Kathy Bates, Edie Falco, Dixie Carter who performed the role on Broadway, Swoosie Kurtz, Chita Rivera and Leslie Uggams.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Maria Callas's Metropolitan Opera debut, as Bellini's Norma, on October 29, 1956. Master Class re-imagines Callas' famous 1971 master classes at the Juilliard School, while examining the soprano as an artist and a woman. It opened at Broadway's Golden Theater on November 5, 1995, and had a run of 598 performances. Zoe Caldwell was the production's original Callas. Carter and Patti LuPone also did stints as the famed singer.

The play's original director, Leonard Foglia, will direct the benefit reading. Original Broadway cast members Jay Hunter Morris and David Loud will reprise the roles of Tony and Manny, respectively. The reading will also feature Sherry Boone as Sharon and Donna Lynne Champlin as Sophie. Caldwell and McNally will be guests of honor at the event.

Proceeds from this evening will benefit The Metropolitan Opera Guild's education programs, which bring opera and musical theater into hundreds of schools around the country.

Tickets to Master Class are available by calling 212-769-7009. Performance-only tickets are $85 and $250, but there are also tickets priced at $750 and $1,000 that include a post-show supper at the Marriott Marquis.