Oh sure, New York gets all the buzz on June 7, Tony Award night, but what if you're on the West Coast and want to be part of the excitement?

Well, the Actors' Fund and Aid for AIDS are hosting a special benefit that night, which will include not only a live feed of the CBS/PBS Tony broadcast but will bestow a Julie Harris Lifetime Achievement Award on Gwen Verdon (Redhead, Can-Can, Sweet Charity and Damn Yankees).

Lucie Arnaz (They're Playing Our Song) will host the event, which runs 4:30-9:30 PM (PT) at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica. Katharine Hepburn serves as honorary chair of the gala.

The nation's "only human service organization for all entertainment professionals," the Actors' Fund of America is best known for providing financial assistance and social services (food, rent, medical expenses) to professionals in need. Given on a night when the show doesn't normally play, an Actors' Fund performance, with all benefits going to the Fund, charges the same box office prices as on other nights and is often well attended by members of the entertainment community.

Since 1983, Aid For AIDS has offered more than $9 million in assistance to people in Los Angeles living with AIDS and/or HIV. For tickets ($150) and information on the Actors' Fund Tony party call (213)656-1107, x. 116.

-- By David Lefkowitz