Tickets are still available for the April 26 celebration of American playwrights, The Playwright's the Thing, a star-studded benefit evening of readings of the work of Christopher Durang, Terrence McNally and Wendy Wasserstein.

The fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS includes a cavalcade of scenes and monologues from plays by the trio, but also the debut of a new piece written by all three. The performance is at the Broadhurst Theatre and is followed by a dinner at Coco Pazzo Teatro.

Among those scheduled to perform are Jane Alexander, Christine Baranski, Betty Buckley, Zoe Caldwell, Stockard Channing, Brian Dennehy, Elizabeth Franz, Whoopi Goldberg, Swoosie Kurtz, Nathan Lane, Steve Martin, Audra McDonald, Debra Monk, David Hyde Pierce, Martha Plimpton, Paul Rudd, Susan Sarandon and George Wendt.

Durang's plays include `Dentity Crisis, Laughing Wild and the recent Off-Broadway hit, Betty's Summer Vacation. McNally wrote Master Class, Love! Valour! Compassion! and Corpus Christi. Wasserstein penned An American Daughter, The Sister Rosensweig and The Heidi Chronicles.

Tickets range from $75-$1,000. Those who buy at the $250 level gain admission to the pre-performance reception and/or the VIP dinner. A major portion of tickets are tax deductible. For reservations or information, call (212) 840-0770 extension 268 or try the BC/EFA website at www.bcefa.org.

-- By Kenneth Jones