The 7-9:30 PM evening, which celebrates the "shared spirit of the culinary and theatre arts," kicks off with delicacies prepared by such top New York chefs as Michael Ayoub, David DeCarlo, Marian Golea, Alex Guarnaschelli, Michael Hu, Jehangir Mehta, Nancy Olson and Cedric Tovar.

The second portion of the gala features songs, skits and readings from a host of theatre favorites, including Manoel Felciano, Malcolm Gets, Cheyenne Jackson, Madhur Jaffrey, Marc Kudisch and Mary Testa. Special guests will include Peter Dinklage, Mariska Hargitay, Grace Hightower, Debra Monk and John Stamos.

Silent and live auctions will also be part of the evening. All proceeds will benefit The Play Company's artistic programs.

The Angel Orensanz Foundation is located at 172 Norfolk Street.

For reservations call Leslie Caiola at The Play Company at (212) 398-2977 or email [email protected]. For more information visit www.PlayCo.org. *

The not-for-profit The Play Company is "an international theatre for new writing that develops and produces adventurous new plays from the U.S. and all over the world."