Photo Coverage: Wynn Handman Birthday Celebration

On Monday, May 21, 2007, The American Place Theatre hosted a once-in-a-lifetime benefit event: "Wynn, Place & Show: A Celebration of Wynn Handman's 85th Birthday and the 45th Anniversary of The American Place Theatre."� The evening took place at the historic Hudson Theatre on West 44th Street with a tribute to�American Place Theatre founder Handman and the great history of The American Place Theatre, directed by Ed Sherin and written by Jonathan Reynolds.

The tribute will featured a stellar cast of both Handman's students and American Place Theatre alumni, as well�as�a�cocktail reception, dinner, dessert buffet and dancing to the music of Peter Duchin and his Orchestra.

Handman�has�brought to�the�stage�the early work of many of�America's finest playwrights including Ed Bullins, Maria Irene Fornes, Jonathan Reynolds, Robert Ribman, Sam Shepard and Steve Tesich. He has introduced plays by writers such as Robert Lowell, Joyce Carol Oates and Sylvia Plath and presented writer/performers early in their careers including Bill Irwin, Eric Bogosian and John Leguizamo. One of the country's most revered acting teachers for over 50 years, he has trained thousands of actors.

"The American Place Theatre's 45th year of recognizing and nurturing gifted American authors and performers.� The American Place Theatre is the winner of over 30 Obies including a grant and citation for 'uncompromising commitment to unconventional and daring plays,' plus 16 Audelco Awards," state press materials.� Funds from the evening also benefited Literature to Life," which is�the unique and powerful arts education program that emerged over a decade ago, is a phenomenal success.� The program has already met literary and creative needs of over 300,000 students nationwide through partnerships including the Library of Congress, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the New-York Historical Society.

Visit www.americanplacetheatre.org for more information.

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Wynn Handman