Lawrence Pressman, known for roles in "Doogie Howser, M.D." and "Transparent," will return to Philadelphia's Quintessence Theatre for a one-night-only Valentine's Day performance benefiting the company's 15th anniversary celebration.

Pressman will star in a staged reading of David Mamet's "A Life in the Theatre," a two-character play exploring the relationship between a veteran actor and his younger colleague. The performance marks Pressman's third collaboration with Quintessence, following his critically acclaimed turn as Prospero in "The Tempest" and a Barrymore-nominated performance in "Awake & Sing!"

"This piece of theatre from David Mamet is a love letter to the art form that we work every day to create here at Quintessence," said Executive Director Erica Ezold. "We're thrilled that Philadelphia audiences and Quintessence supporters can once again experience the immense talent of Larry Pressman."

The veteran actor brings considerable experience to the role, having appeared in more than 150 screen and stage productions. His credits span from the 1971 Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix winner "The Hellstrom Chronicle" to recent television appearances in "Hart of Dixie" and Amazon's "Transparent."

The Feb. 14 gala event at the historic Sedgwick Theater in Mt. Airy comes at a crucial time for the classical repertory theater group, which recently purchased the Sedgwick Theater and has renovation plans in development. 

 "With arts funding in an increasingly precarious position, we are deeply grateful for the support of theatre lovers who are joining us for this event," Ezold said.

The gala offers multiple ways for guests to attend, including offering intimate tables for two at $1,250 and general admission seats at $150. Premium ticket holders will enjoy a pre-show reception with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. For tickets, visit quintessencetheatre.org/gala25. For additional information, call the box office at 215-987-4450.