Jim Parsons to lead a benefit reading of the play 'Merton of the Movies'

NEW YORK, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- New York's Roundabout Theatre Company says Jim Parsons is to lead its one-night-only benefit reading of George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly's stage comedy Merton of the Movies.

"It's the golden era of silent motion pictures, and no one loves them more than Merton Gill, a naive store clerk from a small town in Illinois," a synopsis said. "After taking an acting class -- and determined to become a great dramatic actor -- Merton uses his life's savings to head to Hollywood. There's only one problem: he can't act. When a plucky young starlet and a manipulative movie executive see how inadvertently funny Merton's earnest efforts are, they cast him in a comedy -- that they tell him is a drama -- and hilarity ensues!"

The Dec. 1 reading of the play at Manhattan's Studio 54 is to be helmed by Roundabout's Associate Artistic Director Scott Ellis.

Parsons is to play the title character. No other casting has been announced yet.

Each year, Roundabout produces a star-studded benefit reading to support its many programs. Past readings have included Intimate Apparel, Assassins, She Loves Me and A Little Night Music.

Parsons is an Emmy Award-winning actor best known for his work on TV's The Big Bang Theory, and in the plays Harvey and The Normal Heart.