CAROL LAWRENCE TO TAKE ON BROADWAY IN FUND-RAISER.

Byline: Joanne Crawford Education

Actress and singer Carol Lawrence will headline this year's black-tie gala fund-raiser for the Children's Center of the Antelope Valley Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center.

The annual signature event for the nonprofit child protection organization, known as Heartsounds, will take on Broadway as its major theme this year, said Ingrid Chapman, director of resource development.

``Carol Lawrence defines Broadway,'' Chapman said. ``She has starred in such Broadway mega-hits as `Funny Girl,' `The Unsinkable Molly Brown,' `The Sound of Music,' `Sweet Charity,' `I Do, I Do,' and recently in the title role of `Kiss of the Spider Woman.' ''

Lawrence's versatility allows her to move easily from screen roles to live concert performances to television, Chapman said.

``Her appearances on television are numerous and include her own biweekly TV magazine talk show and producing her own dancercise video,'' Chapman said. ``To top all that, she has written a cookbook, `I Remember Pasta.' Her interest in children ties in perfectly with `Heartsounds' because the event itself brings much-needed money for treatment of children who have suffered the ravages of child abuse.''

Lawrence has long been associated with World Vision, traveling to Somalia to televise an international plea to help the refugees there.

Ticket prices are $150 for VIP seating in the first five rows and guests will meet Lawrence in person and have their photos taken with her.

Other orchestra seats are being sold for $60 and balcony seats are $35.

The gala will start with the traditional gourmet food and silent auction for celebrity memorabilia, gift baskets and goodies, Chapman said.

Memorabilia for the silent auction has been donated by such celebrities as Sophia Loren, Nicholas Cage, Dean Koontz, Bryan Adams, Sawyer Brown, Richard Dreyfus, Jose Feliciano and Dave Brubeck, Chapman said.

A live auction also will take place and include a handmade Jennifer Lyman quilt titled ``Broadway Babies'' with signatures of Broadway stars, Chapman said.

Supervisor Michael Antonovich will again auction off a puppy from a Los Angeles County animal shelter. Last year, a Pomeranian-silky terrier mix named Bandit was auctioned off twice for $700 each time.

Chapman said event co-chairs Ron Emard and Ruby Manning will again join Broadway look-a-likes such as a Liza Minnelli impersonator and others in welcoming the evening's guest.

For ticket information about Heartsounds, or other details about the Children's Center of the Antelope Valley, contact Chapman at [phone].