Mamma Mia! joins Broadway stars to light holiday tree- December 8

Two of Broadway's most gorgeous stars, Dame Edna EVERAGE (currently starring at the Music Box Theatre in Dame Edna: Back with a Vengeance!) and Brooke Shields (currently starring as Ruth Sherwood at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in the hit musical, Wonderful Town), will be joined by cast and company members from virtually every Broadway and Off Broadway show to celebrate and share in the joy of the holiday season when they flip the switch to light the 2004 BROADWAY HOLIDAY TREE.The ceremony will take place between shows on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, at 5:15pm in Father Duffy Square (Broadway and 46th Street, down from the TKTS Ticket Booth). The event is free and open to the public.

The annual ceremony will begin with a rousing a cappella version of "Winter Wonderland" performed by Broadway Musical Theatre's "First Couple," real-life married stars Carolee Carmello (starring in Mamma Mia! and Gregg Edelman (starring in Wonderful Town).

The ceremony closes with a performance by cast members of the Tony Award© winning Best Musical AVENUE Q including Angela Ai, Jennifer Barnhart (with Mrs. Thistletwat), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (with Kate Monster) Carmen Ruby Floyd, Jordan Gelber, PHOEBE KRUETZ, and Ann Sanders with students from THE PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL.

During the ceremony, Theatre Development Fund and The League of American Theatres and Producers will continue their tradition of presenting a $5,000 gift to a not-for-profit organization in the theatre district. This year, the gift will be given to The Actor's Fund's Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative (PNWHI). PHWHI addresses important health issues for women in the entertainment community. Through The Fund's Social Services, counseling and support services help women who are coping with significant health problems by providing linkage to community-based organizations, as well as financial assistance.

THE BROADWAY HOLIDAY TREE CEREMONY, which has become a theatre district tradition, celebrates the joy of the season and honors those we have lost in the past year. The 22-foot Douglas Fir will be decorated with white lights and ornaments representing every show currently playing on and Off Broadway. THE BROADWAY HOLIDAY TREE is presented by Theatre Development Fund, The League of American Theatres and Producers and The Times Square Alliance.