A Mess o' Benefits

When the celebs don't want to commit themselves to an entire run of a play, they do a benefit. With other celebs.

In the months ahead, we appear to be due for an onslaught of said benefits, the first one Aug. 18 when director Gordon Davidson helms a reading of "The Trial of the Catonsville Nine" which Davidson _ not so coincidentally _ directed in both its premiere and in film form.

The events spin off from a May of 1968 event that saw three Catholic priests a nurse, an artist and four others walked burning service records at a Catonsville, Maryland draft board office in protest of America's involvement in Vietnam. "The Trial" is based on events and trial data.

The benefit participants include Martin Sheen Tim Robbins, Beau Bridges, Camryn Manheim, Mike Farrell and Sandra Oh. Proceeds go to the Office of the Americas and The Actors Gang (which Robbins heads). Tickets are a steep $250 and can be had by calling (310)-838-4264 or at www.theactorsgang.com

Sept. 8 finds the ever present Jason Alexander joining Malcolm Gets, Vicki Lewis, Andrew Samonsky and Hunter Thames at the Wilshire Theatre of Beverly Hills for a concert version of William Finn's "Falsettos." "Falsettos," which hasn't been seen around here professionally in a while is your basic family drama about a man, his wife, male lover, therapist and about-to-be-Bar Mitzvah'd son.

The Wilshire Theatre even benefits the Actors' Fund of America. Tix are $30-$250. (323) 933-9244 or visit www.actorsfund.org.

And on Sept. 17, the Ford Amphitheatre will be alive with the sound of Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (the ABBA guys) during a benefit production of "Chess." More local musical theater stars than you can shake a stick at including Susan Egan, Kevin Earley, Cindy Robinson, Matthew Morrison and Tom Schmid.

Anyone remember "Chess?" Cold war love story between an American and a Russian chess master spanning a couple of continents? Anyone remember "One Night in Bangkok"?

Beneficiary is Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Tickets are $35-$200.