Additional Stars Added to Sondheim 'Children and Art' March 21 Benefit

Stage luminaries Becky Ann Baker, John Bucchino, Stephen Buntrock, Walter Charles, Raúl Esparza, Mia Farrow, Merwin Foard, Alexander Gemignani, Annie Golden, Blake Hammond, Neil Patrick Harris, Anne Hathaway, Brian d'Arcy James, Kenneth Krugman, Jeffrey Kuhn, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ann Morrison, Cynthia Nixon, Hugh Panaro and Brandon Wardell have just been added to the roster of stars appearing in "CHILDREN AND ART," the spectacular, one-night-only musical gala evening in celebration of Stephen Sondheim's 75th birthday at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street) on Monday, March 21, 2005 (7:30 p.m. curtain), the eve of Sondheim's birthday.

The previously announced roster of performers includes* Betty Buckley, Michael Cerveris, Barbara Cook, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jason Danieley, John Dossett, Harvey Evans, Dame Edna Everage, Harvey Fierstein, Whoopi Goldberg, George Hearn, Judy Kuhn, Rebecca Luker, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Debra Monk, Michele Pawk, Bernadette Peters, Kurt Peterson, David Hyde Pierce, Tonya Pinkins, Lonny Price, Alice Ripley, Marti Rolph, Virginia Sandifur, Jim Walton and B.D. Wong.

Presented by The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton and Barbra Streisand (Honorary Chairs), with Young Playwrights Inc. and producers Richard Maltby, Jr., Kevin Stites and Sheri M. Goldhirsch, "CHILDREN AND ART" is directed by Tony Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr. with music direction by Kevin Stites.

"CHILDREN AND ART" also features appearances from members of the original casts of Company, Follies and Merrily We Roll Along, plus a 35-piece orchestra, the 100-voice Broadway Star Chorus and the 60-voice Young People's Chorus of New York (dir. Francisco Nuñez).

All proceeds from "CHILDREN AND ART" will benefit Young Playwrights Inc., an organization founded by Stephen Sondheim in 1981.

Tickets are scaled from $500 - $5,000 and are available by calling Young Playwrights Inc. at (212) 594-5440. Tickets at the $1,500 level and above include an exclusive post-show dinner with Stephen Sondheim at the Four Seasons (99 East 52nd Street). Balcony tickets are available at $150 and $250. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

For more information on the "CHILDREN AND ART" benefit concert, please visit www.sondheim75.com. For more information on Young Playwrights Inc., please visit www.youngplaywrights.org.

Co-Chaired by Mary Ann Madden and Ben & Donna Rosen, the "CHILDREN AND ART" Benefit Committee includes Stanley & Marion Bergman, Douglas S. Cramer, Myrna & Freddie Gershon, Lois Robbins and Showtime Networks.