Celebrity voices will breathe life into characters from poems, short stories, monologues and more when "Bits & Pieces: A Reading" comes to the Coeur d'Alene library April 28.

The fundraising event stars actresses Ellen and Margaret Travolta, actor Jack Bannon and the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre's producing artistic director Roger Welch. The intimate setting of the library's Community Room will have no need for costumes or props as the performers provide animated readings from selected works.

"It's almost like a variety show of readings," Ellen said.

The idea for "Bits & Pieces" came from the popularity of a similar event, a staged reading of the play "Over the River and Through the Woods," which was held in the Schuler Performing Arts Center last summer.

"Bits & Pieces" will feature material suggested and contributed by each performer, including some from Ellen's previous experience with readings in Los Angeles. Works from the minds of Kurt Vonnegut, Chic Sale, Studs Terkel and William Sibley will be among the pieces presented.

"It's something different," said Michelle Mendez, Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre's executive director. "People like to have things read to them. It enhances the imagination."

Welch had a similar thought.

"As we're little kids, we like to be read to. It never changes," Welch said. He said he emotionally connected to a certain piece he will read about a man who is placing his elderly mother into an assisted-care facility.

"It's funny but it's heartbreaking at the same time. It took me by surprise when I was working on it," he said. "When I can get there as an artist, I know that I will be able to take my audience there with me."

A specific piece stands out to Ellen, too.

"The piece that touches me is about what it's like to have a challenged child, how that changes your world and how one can't explain it to somebody else," she said. She said it's a lovely piece "beautifully explaining what it's like."

Proceeds from the event will be split to benefit the library and the summer theatre. It is the first collaborative effort for the nonprofit organizations.

"We're just delighted to bring that kind of energy to the library," said Ruth Pratt, executive director of the Coeur d'Alene Library Foundation. With such a focus on reading and literacy, "it fits with our purpose perfectly," she said.

The performers are volunteering their time and will be available for a "talk-back" following the reading, where audience members can ask questions and interact with them.

"What better place to read than a library?" Ellen asked with a sincere smile. She said an event like this encourages people to read and will hopefully encourage more readings like "Bits & Pieces."

The show begins at 5 p.m. with a preceding no-host bar.

"Bits & Pieces: A Reading" is underwritten by Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Tickets are $25. Info: (208) 769-7780 or www.cdasummertheatre.com