Ricky Ian Gordon is a name more associated with modern opera and dance performance than theatre, but he'll be supported by a number of theatre friends when he stages a concert, March 10, in memory of his longtime partner, Jeffrey Grossi, who died of AIDS. Proceeds will go to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Actors Fund AIDS Initiative. Ricky Ian Gordon In Concert will take place at NYC's Symphony Space at West 95th St.

Joining Gordon for the evening of "readings and songs" will be Judy Blazer (Titanic), Diane Fratantoni, Harolyn Blackwell, Cherry Jones (Tony winner for The Heiress), Terri Klausner (Bed And Sofa), Audra MacDonald (Ragtime, Master Class, Carousel), Camellia Johnson, Jim Mahady, Kurt Ollmann and concert pianist John Nauman.

Gordon's opera, The Tibetan Book Of The Dead, was commissioned by Houston Grand Opera and dedicated to Grossi. Other Gordon credits include Stonewall: Night Variations (with En Garde Arts' Tina Landau) and The Angel Voices Of Men for the NY Gay Men's Chorus. The aforementioned Blackwell featured Gordon's 10-song cycle, Genius Child, based on poems by Langston Hughes, on her 1994 CD "Strange Hurt." The recipient of a 1989 National Institute for Music Theatre Award, Gordon also won the 1991 Stephen Sondheim Award. He has been commissioned by Seattle Opera to write an opera with playwright Tony Kushner.

Founded in 1987, BC/EFA is considered the entertainment industry's "most active and vital organization working to address the challenges of AIDS." They've distributed millions to AIDS victims and organizations combating the disease, and they've mobilized the entertainment industry to do the same.

Tickets to the benefit are $20-$75; $200 also gets you a copy of "Strange Hurt" and your name listed in the program; $500 gets you the same plus a copy of the Ricky Ian Gordon songbook, "A Horse With Wings." For more information call (212) 864-5400. --By David Lefkowitz