The eighth annual event, presented by Montblanc, will benefit Urban Arts Partnership, an organization that brings arts education into New York City classrooms. Among those scheduled to take part in the one-night-only event include actors Aasif Mandvi, Elizabeth Berkley, David Cross, Hugh Dancy, Rachel Dratch, Michael Ealy, Mamie Gummer, Peter Hermann, Justin Long, Anthony Mackie, Julianna Marguiles, Diane Neal, Cynthia Nixon, Rosie Perez, Kim Raver, Horatio Sans, Annabella Sciorra, Liev Schreiber, Brittany Snow, Julia Stiles, Maura Tierney and Alicia Witt; playwrights Terrence McNally, Beau Willimon and Ben Karlin; and directors Peter Ellenstein, Thomas Kail and Josie Rourke.

The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway, according to press notes, "attracts some of entertainment's biggest names as they join forces to participate in a rite of extreme live performance: writing, directing, and performing six original short plays, all in just 24 hours."

The creative process will begin at "10 PM on Sunday, November 16th – the night before the show – when a group of six writers, six directors, 24 actors, one musical guest, and a production staff gather at the American Airlines Theater. After casts and crews have been briefed, each writer is tasked with composing a ten-minute play by 7 AM the following morning, when the directors return to read and select their piece. The casts will meet for the first time at 8 AM and, over the next 12 hours the plays are rehearsed and produced for a live presentation. At 8:00 PM, ink barely dry, the six new plays – interspersed with six musical acts – will be performed for a live audience."

The American Airlines Theatre is located at 227 West 42nd Street. For tickets visit www.SmartTix.com or call (212) 868-4444.