Broadway stars Sandy Duncan (Chicago) and Brian Stokes Mitchell (Kiss Me, Kate ) will join cast and company members from virtually every Broadway and Off-Broadway show as they flip the switch to light the 1999 Broadway Holiday Tree.

TDF spokesman David LeShay said that numerous theatre personalities and talent are expected at the ceremony, and that the final list of celebrities can be expected closer to the day of the event.

The Theatre Development Fund (TDF) says the ceremony takes place between shows on Wed., Dec. 8, at 5:15 PM in Duffy Square (next to TDF's tkts booth at Broadway and West 46th Street).

Before and after the lighting ceremony, the assembled group will sing holiday songs led by the choral ensemble of the Public School Repertory Company. The event is free and open to the public.

For the second year, TDF and The League of American Theatres and Producers will present a $5,000 gift to a not-for-profit organization in recognition of their outstanding service to the theatre community. This year the gift will be accepted by Sister Elizabeth Hasselton, Executive Director of Encore Community Services, an organization which currently serves over 14,000 seniors in need who live in the Theatre District and Clinton. Following the ceremony, a moment of silence will be recognized in remembrance of those members of the theatre community who died in the past year.

Broadway' s Holiday Tree is a 25-foot white spruce that will be decorated with colored holiday lights and ornaments representing every show currently playing on and Off-Broadway. The tree is presented by TDF, the league Holiday Tree and the Times Square Business Improvement District.