The national touring company ofSunset Boulevard will host Sunset Cares, a benefit revue and auction, 7:30 PM June 1 at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago.

The show and auction will benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.

The revue features classic, current and rarely-heard Broadway tures, along with pop, production numbers and original compositions performed by the Sunset Boulevard cast.

One of the pieces up for bidding in the theatre memorabilia auction is a three-foot ornamental Snake Goddess statue donated from the dismantled original Tony-winning Broadway set of Sunset Boulevard. The statue was designed by John Napier and crafted by master sculptor Nine Novellino. Other items up for bid are one-of-a-kind Sunset Boulevard novelties designed by Sunset’s wardrobe and make-up artists, and a walk-on role in the “Paramount” sequence of Sunset’s Act II, in which Norma Desmond sings “As if We Never Said Goodbye.”

The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus will also make a special appearance at the fundraiser. Tickets for Sunset Cares are available at (312) 902-1500, (312) 902-2936. For other information: (773) 935-6860. For silent bidding on the statue by phone please call Harvey Evans (312) 787-4707 ext. 416.

- By Honey Freilich