The annual event follows six weeks of intensive fundraising by various shows on and off Broadway as well as touring productions throughout the country. It's a chance to celebrate the Broadway gypsies while raising funds for the worthy charity.

This year's competition is expected to include performances from the casts of Beauty and the Beast, A Chorus Line, The Color Purple, The Drowsy Chaperone, Hairspray, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, Rent, Tarzan, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Wedding Singer and Wicked.

Awards are presented in two categories: for best skit and for most money raised for BC/EFA. Last season, the competition brought in a whopping $2,972,721.15. Best skit honors went to The Lion King for the second consecutive year. Monty Python's Spamalot raised the most money for BC/EFA, $367,084.

Tickets for the Dec. 4 (at 4:30 PM) and 5 (at 2 PM) performances are priced $20-$90 with a limited number of VIP ($350) and Priority ($200) seats available. Tickets are now on sale by calling (212) 840-0770 or by visiting www.broadwaycares.org.

The Neil Simon Theatre is located in Manhattan at 250 West 52nd Street. *

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization.