The eighth annual event, presented by Montblanc, benefits Urban Arts Partnership, an organization that brings arts education into New York City classrooms.

Those scheduled to take part in the one-night-only event include actors David Cross, Rachel Dratch, Michael Ealy, Jennifer Esposito, Peter Hermann, Sanaa Lathan, Justin Long, Anthony Mackie, Julianna Margulies, Mums, Diane Neal, Cynthia Nixon, Rosie Perez, Kim Raver, Horatio Sanz, Pablo Schreiber, Annabella Sciorra, Matthew Settle, Ben Shenkman, Brittany Snow, Julia Stiles, Maura Tierney, Alicia Witt and Elijah Wood; playwrights Terrence McNally, Beau Willimon, Ben Karlin, Christina Anderson, Ellen Maddow and Adam Bock; and directors Jessica Bauman, Ari Edelson, Peter Ellenstein, Thomas Kail, Lynne Meadow and Josie Rourke.

The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway, according to press notes, "attracts some of entertainment's biggest names as they join forces to participate in a rite of extreme live performance: writing, directing, and performing six original short plays, all in just 24 hours."

The creative process begins at "10 PM on Sunday, November 16th – the night before the show – when a group of six writers, six directors, 24 actors, one musical guest, and a production staff gather at the American Airlines Theater. After casts and crews have been briefed, each writer is tasked with composing a ten-minute play by 7 AM the following morning, when the directors return to read and select their piece. The casts will meet for the first time at 8 AM and, over the next 12 hours the plays are rehearsed and produced for a live presentation. At 8:00 PM, ink barely dry, the six new plays – interspersed with six musical acts – will be performed for a live audience."

The American Airlines Theatre is located at 227 West 42nd Street. For tickets visit www.SmartTix.com or call (212) 868-4444.