John Lithgow of the Broadway musical comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels will host. Special guests will include Mario Cantone of Broadway's Laugh Whore and HBO's "Sex and the City," and and singer-songwriter Amanda McBroom. The evening will honor Manhattan Theatre Club executive producer Barry Grove on the 30th anniversary of his leadership at MTC. Lynne Meadow is artistic director of MTC.

Money raised from this annual event will benefit MTC's "extensive educational outreach programs, its acclaimed reading series, its musical theatre program, and its playwriting fellowship program."

Cocktails and a silent auction begin at 7 PM, with dinner at 8 PM, and the Gala Benefit show at 9:15 PM. Ten-person tables are $30,000, $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000. Individual tickets are $2,000 and $1,000. For more information, call (212) 399-3000, ext. 342.

*

Manhattan Theatre Club is the not-for-profit resident theatre that operates venues on Broadway (the Biltmore Theatre) and Off-Broadway (Stage I and II at City Center). It is committed to contemporary theatre, particularly New York and world premieres. Visit www.manhattantheatreclub.org.