George Clooney isn't exactly synonymous with theater, but for one night, he'll be the biggest star on stage in Los Angeles.

The Descendants star has signed on as the first celebrity to appear in fellow Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black's Los Angeles production of his play 8, about the federal trial that overturned Proposition 8 (the judge in the case ruled Proposition 8 was unconstitutional, though his decision is under appeal).

It is astonishing that gay and lesbian Americans are still treated as second-class citizens, Clooney said via a statement. I am confident that, very soon, the laws of this nation will reflect the basic truth that gay and lesbian people -- like all human beings -- are born equal in dignity and rights.

The one-night-only reading of 8 -- at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on March 3 -- will be directed by Rob Reiner, and proceeds from the event will go to the American Foundation for Equal Rights, of which Reiner and Black are founding members.

The L.A. reading follows a September production of 8 in New York, which featured Morgan Freeman, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Christine Lahti, Bradley Whitford, Bob Balaban, Yeardley Smith, Matthew Bomer, Cheyenne Jackson and Reiner among its cast.

Tickets for the sure-to-sell out March 3 event are on sale now.

New York Los Angeles New York Los Angeles