Debra Monk Gets Totally Hot and a Little Dirty for BC/EFA

Beloved stage and screen actress Debra Monk will be "totally hot and a little dirty" as she celebrates her 65th birthday on February 24 in a free-wheeling rock 'n' roll concert produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

"I can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than throwing a big ol' party with great music, stories and a few dirty jokes thrown in along the way," Monk said. "I wouldn't do it, though, if it wasn't all to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, an organization very near and dear to my heart."

The Debra Monk Birthday Bash will feature the Tony Award winner and some of her most talented friends rollicking through a collection of their favorite rock and pop hits. Among those scheduled to join Monk are two-time Tony nominee Charlotte D'Amboise, six-time Tony nominee Scott Ellis, four-time Tony nominee and six-time Emmy nominee Victor Garber, two-time Tony and Emmy Award winner Andrea Martin and Tony and Emmy nominee Ron Rifkin.

The event will be directed by JoAnn Hunter with music direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell. Additional special guests will be announced soon; all performers subject to change.

"Debra Monk is one of the most talented, delightful and versatile actors I know," said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. "Whether playing it for laughs or pathos, her heart is full and her spirit soars. 'Big Mama' is getting down for her birthday and that's a night you won't want to miss."

Monk, a fixture on stage and screen, has been nominated four times for the Tony Award, winning for Featured Actress in a Play for Redwood Curtain. She also was nominated for "Picnic," "Steel Pier" and "Curtains." Monk has appeared in 11 Broadway shows, most recently as Big Mama in the 2013 revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." She is co-author of the classic Tony-nominated musical "Pump Boys and Dinettes."

Monk has also been featured in the television series "Grey's Anatomy," "Damages," "Glee," "White Collar," "Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!," "Brothers & Sisters," "Ghost Whisperer," "The Closer," "Notes from the Underbelly," "Desperate Housewives," "Law & Order," "Frasier" and as Katie Sipowicz on "NYPD Blue."

Her TV movie appearances include "The Music Man," "Eloise at the Plaza," "Ellen Foster" and "Redwood Curtain." Monk's film credits include "One for the Money," "The Other Woman," "The Great Buck Howard," "The Savages," "The Producers," "Center Stage," "The Devil's Advocate," "In & Out," "Extreme Measures," "The Bridges of Madison County," "Jeffrey," "Fearless," "Reckless," "Mrs. Winterbourne" and "Bed of Roses."

"We've fallen in love with Deb not just for her wonderful work on stage, television and in the movies, but also because of her unwavering commitment to helping those who need it most," said Viola. "Deb is a longtime and loyal friend of Broadway Cares and we're delighted to help her celebrate her birthday in this very special way."

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $250 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Broadway Cares awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic.

For more information about BC/EFA, visit broadwaycares.org, like them on Facebook at facebook.com/BCEFA, or follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/BCEFA.

The Debra Monk Birthday Bash will be held on February 24 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College, 524 West 59th Street in New York City. Tickets are $95-175. For information or tickets, call 212-840-0770 x268 or visit broadwaycares.org/debramonk