Broadway stars will perform as part of a gala benefit, Oct. 20 at New York's Avery Fisher Hall in celebration of the Children's Defense Fund's 25th anniversary.

Talk-show host and one-time Broadway star (Grease!) Rosie O'Donnell is scheduled to perform along with Tony Award-winner Glenn Close (Barnum, Sunset Boulevard), Davis Gaines (The Phantom of the Opera, Whistle Down the Wind) and Sam Harris (Grease!, The Life)> Also scheduled to perform are the Dance Theater of Harlem, the Elliot Feld Dance Co., Desmond Richardson of the American Ballet Theatre, Inman and others yet to be announced. The schedule is subject to change.

First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton is also scheduled to be a special guest at this event that will include a pre-reception, dinner, performance and dessert reception with the performers. For benefit tickets ($500-$2500) please call (212) 307-1226. Performance only tickets ($25-$100) are available through the Lincoln Center Box Office or at (212) 875-5030. All tickets go on sale Sept. 8.

The Children's Defense Fund is a private, non-profit research and advocacy organization, paying particular attention to poor, minority and disabled children. It is supported by foundations, corporations and individuals.

--By Laura MacDonald