Roberts, Pill, Vidnovic Star in THE IDEALIST At TimesCenter 2/23

The Spellbound Development Company, Kathryn Appleton and Gatewave, Inc. present a one-night-only benefit reading of Jennifer Strome's new play THE IDEALIST to benefit the Anne Frank Foundation in Basel, Switzerland and its mission to support education against intolerance, on Wednesday, February 23 at 8pm at The Times Center (242 West 41st Street) in Manhattan. Lee Sankowich (ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST) directs an ensemble including Alison Pill, Tony Roberts, Samantha Soule and Martin Vidnovic.

THE IDEALIST divulges the infamous, behind-the-scenes saga of author Meyer Levin (1905-1981), in a fact-based account of his role as the original dramatist of "The Diary of Anne Frank," the most famous diary to have emerged from the 20th century.

The cast of THE IDEALIST includes Alison Pill (THE MIRACLE WORKER, THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE), Tony Roberts (THE ROYAL FAMILY, THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE), Samantha Soule (THE PHILANTHROPIST, CORAM BOY), and Martin Vidnovic (BRIGADOON, BABY) with Brandon Ladd Burkey, Lauren English, Clancy O'Connor, and Andy Prosky.

Ms. Strome's play was written under the mentorship of legendary filmmaker David Brown who produced the original film adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank" for 20th Century Fox in 1958. She spent nearly ten years working directly with Mr. Levin's wife and their 3 sons, as well as Anne Frank's only living relative Bernard Elias, President of The Anne Frank Foundation in Basel, Switzerland, and with the few remaining witnesses to this 60-year-old controversy.

Director Lee Sankowich recently helmed the world premiere of Trevor Allen's LOLITA ROADTRIP at the San Jose Stage Company. His New York credits include ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST which ran over 1,000 performances at the Mercer Arts Center. For 16 years, he served as the
Artistic Director of the Marin Theatre Co. where he directed more than 45 productions, including the world premieres of two previously un-produced Tennessee Williams plays. He has directed at regional theatre nationwide, and currently owns and operates the Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles.

Jennifer Strome is a producer and writer. Her interest is in script and show development. Ms. Strome produces readings, events, and productions. Most recent include SHADOWS by Randall David Cook; the hit musical revue Jerry Herman's SHOWTUNE; GOODNIGHT VIENNA; THE
BETRAYAL OF NORA BLAKE; and the off-Broadway musical SUBURB, co-produced with The York Theatre Company (winner of the Richard Rodgers Development Award, 2000).

The benefit reading of THE IDEALIST will also be streamed live as a donation-per-view webcast for anyone who cannot attend in person. The minimum donation to view the webcast is $10. For details on how to get your Virtual Pass to watch online, visit www.TheIdealistOnStage.com.

Tickets for THE IDEALIST on Wednesday, February 23 at The Times Center (242 West 41st Street at 8th Avenue) at 8:00 pm are $105, $55 and $27.50 (which includes a service fee). All net proceeds benefit the Anne Frank Foundation, Switzerland. For reservations, call SmartTix at
212-868-4444 or visit www.SmartTix.com.

For more information, visit www.TheIdealistOnStage.com

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