The sixth annual Broadway Bears auction, featuring a host of teddy bears dressed as famous Broadway characters, is scheduled for Feb. 17, 2003.

The annual auction benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will 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 and VIP advance preview of the dozens of well-dressed bears. The general admission reception is scheduled for 7 PM, and the auction begins promptly at 8.

This year's bears — created by Broadway designers and autographed by the original stars who wore these magnificent creations — 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. North American Bear Co., Inc. has 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, contact Scott Stevens at BC/EFA, (212) 840-0770, ext. 245 or e mail [email protected]. Visit the BC/EFA website at www.broadwaycares.org.

—By Andrew Gans