The one-night-only event — Jan. 30, 2006 — at City Center in midtown Manhattan will benefit the not-for-profit Public, a downtown institution for 50 years.

The concert will offer songs from Hair; A Chorus Line; Runaways; Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk; Caroline, or Change; and many others.

"The Public Sings will be a rare opportunity to hear legendary artists perform selections from signature Public Theater musicals that engaged the social and political issues of their times and reshaped our experience of American musical theatre," according to the announcement.

Lapine is the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-winning librettist whose directorial credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Passion, Amour, Falsettos, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park With George, Dirty Blonde and The Diary of Anne Frank and more.

The Public Sings casting and further details will be announced later. Tickets range $20-$750 and go one sale Dec. 2. Special "Benefit Tickets" range $1000-$5000 and include premium seating, pre- and post-performance events and more. For information, call (212) 539-8633.