Initial casting has been announced for Red Bull Theater's benefit performance of the Tony-winning musical Two Gentlemen of Verona, which will be presented December 16 at 7:30 PM at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space.

Zi Alikhan will direct a company that includes Tony winners Chuck Cooper and André De Shields, Coby Getzug, Jin Ha, Taylor Iman Jones, Kelvin Moon Loh, John-Michael Lyles, Alisa Melendez, Sam Simahk, and Alysha Umphress with additional artists to be announced.

Based on William Shakespeare’s comedy of the same name, Two Gentlemen of Verona has a book by John Guare (The House of Blue Leaves, Six Degrees of Separation) and Mel Shapiro, lyrics by Guare, and music by Galt MacDermot (Hair). The rock musical tells the story of lifelong friends Proteus and Valentine, who leave their rural hometown to experience life in urban Milan.

The original Broadway production, nominated for eight Tonys, won 1972 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical, besting Follies, Grease, and Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death.

The upcoming concert staging will also have choreography by Karla Puno Garcia, costumes by Lux Haac, lighting by Paul Hudson, sound by Peter Brucker, projections by Nicholas Hussong, props by Lauren Russell, and musical direction by Greg Pliska.

"In 1971, in a spirit of love and jubilation, Mel Shapiro, Galt MacDermot, and I wrote a musical version of Two Gentlemen of Verona to be performed in Central Park and on the gritty streets of New York. It moved indoors to the glitter of Broadway where it won the Tony for Best Musical. It’s as much a love letter to Shakespeare as it is to New York,” said Guare in a statement.

"Our holiday concert event is going to lift the roof off Symphony Space with youthful exuberance and joy this December 16th!” added Founder and Artistic Director Jesse Berger. “With an incredible cast of Broadway veterans and thrilling young talent, we couldn’t be more excited to share this revolutionary and joyful show from 1971 with a delightful contemporary spin under the exciting direction of Zi Alikahn. Full of love, laughter and joy, this will be a breath of fresh spring air as we head into winter!"

This concert event is a celebratory fundraiser for Red Bull Theater, the not-for-profit classical theatre. Special guests will include Guare, Michael Cerveris, Manoel Felciano, Mary Testa, Sarin Monae West, and more.

For tickets, visit RedBullTheater.com.