BC/EFA Presents 2004 Gypsy of the Year Competition Hosted by Bruce Vilanch

Through the years, the GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION has become one of the hottest and most anticipated tickets of the fall season. New York's most talented "gypsies," chorus members from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, join in a competition/variety show as six weeks of intensive fundraising by the community come to a close with the 16th ANNUAL GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION. This year's competition will take place at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street) on Monday, December 6 at 4:30PM and Tuesday, December 7 at 2:00PM. A limited number of VIP ($350) and Priority ($200) tickets are available. Tickets range from $20-90.

This year's competition will be hosted by Bruce Vilanch (Hairspray).

Cited as "possibly the season's most dazzling talent show," the GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, the all-singing, all-dancing, all-dishing extravaganza, is easily the biggest party in town! Organizers of the event are expecting performers from the theatre community's biggest and most lavish productions, including 42nd Street, Avenue Q, Beauty & The Beast, Bombay Dreams, Brooklyn, Dracula, Hairspray, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, The Producers, Rent, Wicked and more.

THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is the culmination of six weeks of fund raising when shows on and Off-Broadway engage in a friendly competition to see which show can raise the most money for the organization. Awards are presented to the companies that raise the most money and for the winning presentation.

Ticket information: VIP and Priority tickets ($350 and $200) and other tickets ($90/$40/$20) can be purchased online at www.BroadwayCares.org, in person at BC/EFA, 165 West 46th Street, Suite 1300, by phone at (212) 840-0770, or at the door the day of the event.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since it's founding in 1988, BC/EFA has distributed over $100 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV, or HIV-related illnesses.

For further information, please call (212) 840-0770 ext. 268.

THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is sponsored by: The New York Times and Continental Airlines, the official airlines of BC/EFA

For more information, visit: www.BroadwayCares.org