The annual BC/EFA benefit auction will still be hosted by Bryan Batt and feature a host of teddy bears dressed as famous Broadway characters and be held at B. B. King Blues Club & Grill, located in Manhattan at 237 West 42nd Street.

The evening begins at 6 PM with a private reception ($150) and VIP advance preview of the dozens of well-dressed bears. The general admission reception ($35) is scheduled for 7 PM, and the auction begins promptly at 8.

This year's bears — with costumes created by Broadway designers and autographed by the original stars who wore the magnificent clothes — include costumes from Hairspray, Flower Drum Song, The Rocky Horror Show, The Lion King, Oklahoma!, Mamma Mia!, Dreamgirls, Beatlemania, Urinetown, The Producers, Song & Dance, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Seussical: The Musical and The Phantom of the Opera.

The bears will also be autographed by the stars they represent, including Sandra Allen, Julie Andrews, Lucie Arnaz, Bea Arthur, Lauren Bacall, Gary Beach, Carol Channing, Michael Crawford, Joan Diener, Raúl Esparza, Harriet Harris, Spencer Kayden, Jane Krakowski, Kate Levering, John Lithgow, Lorna Luft, Stephanie Mills, Paul Newman, Rosie O'Donnell, Adam Pascal, Bernadette Peters, Marian Seldes and Patrick Wilson. North American Bear Co., Inc., donated all the "bare" bears.

Last year's auction raised $169,612 for BC/EFA, the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization. For more information about Broadway Bears VI or to make reservations for the event, call BC/EFA, (212) 840-0770, ext. 268. Visit the BC/EFA website at www.broadwaycares.org to preview the entire Broadway Bears VI collection.