Manhattan Theatre Club's annual winter benefit, this year called, Baby, It's Cold Outside: Hot Songs for a Cold Night, will feature Broadway stars Lillias White, Brian d'Arcy James and Sherie René Scott, 7 PM Jan. 8 at the Plaza Hotel.

Conceived and directed by MTC associate artistic director Michael Bush, the evening begins with a 7 PM cocktail reception, followed by an 8 PM dinner and a 9:15 PM show.

Money raised at the $400 per person event will benefit MTC's educational outreach programs, its reading series, its musical theatre program, its playwriting fellowship program and its eight-play season. The resident nonprofit operates in two spaces in City Center on 55th Street and recently announced plans to restore and produce at Broadway's dilapidated Biltmore Theatre.

Off-Broadway's MTC staged the world premieres of Proof and The Tale of the Allergist's Wife in the 1999-2000 season, and both plays made the jump to Broadway in fall 2000. The musical, A Class Act, running through Dec. 10, will move to Broadway in spring 2001.

Lillias White is the winner of Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance in The Life. She also starred on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business..., Cats and Once on This Island.

Brian d'Arcy James starred in MTC's acclaimed production of The Wild Party. He also starred in the Tony Award winning Titanic, Lincoln Center Theater's Carousel and Blood Brothers on Broadway.

Sherie René Scott received a Drama League Award and was the recipient of the 2000 Clarence Derwent Award for most promising actress in New York theatre for her work in Aida. She was also seen on Broadway in Tommy, Rent and Grease!

MTC's artistic director is Lynne Meadow; executive producer is Barry Grove.

MTC's Winter Benefit is at the Plaza Hotel, Fifth Avenue at Central Park South. Tickets for cocktails, dinner and the show range from $10,000 for a 10-person table to $400 for individuals. For more information, call (212) 399-3000, ext. 146.