Photo Coverage: GYPSY OF THE YEAR 2008 - Performance

The 20th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced a total of $3,061,000 had been raised by the 63 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras had VIP access on all levels to bring you the most complete coverage of this very special event! 

Since 1989, the 20 editions of GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION have raised a combined total of $35,730,000 to benefit BC/EFA. This year the Jersey Boys - Chicago raised the most money of any show this period with $220,000. 

THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is the culmination of a period of intensive fundraising where 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.

This year's GYPSY OF THE YEAR featured on-stage presentations by 15 companies including: 13, A New Musical; August: Osage County; Equus; Grease; Gypsy; Hairspray; In The Heights; Mamma Mia!; Naked Boys Singing; Rock of Ages; Monty Python's Monty Python's Spamalot; South Pacific; The Lion King; The Little Mermaid and The Marvelous Wonderettes.

Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky (The Ritz, host of Sirius Satellite Radio's "Seth's Big Fat Broadway") served as this year's host. He was joined by Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary, the hosts of the first GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION that took place at the St. James Theatre on November 28, 1989. 

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grants making organization. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes and other critical illnesses across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $150 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses.

BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors' Fund - including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic at The Aurora in NYC, The Dancers' Resource and two supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations yearly.

THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is sponsored by:Continental Airlines, the official airline of BC/EFA, The MAC AIDS Fund, The New York Times

For more information, visit: www.BroadwayCares.org/Fundraising    

Photos by Peter James Zielinski

Tracee Beazer

The Opening Number featuring Aaron J. Albano, Kristine Bendul, Carolyn Doherty, Emilee Dupree, Matt Gibson, Anna Kaiser, James Kinney, Kia Lee, Will Mann, Jamie Markovich, Robin Masella, Skye Mattox, Michael Mindlin, Sarah O'Gleby, Elizabeth Racanelli, Michael Scirrotto, Matthew Steffens, Ryan Watkinson, Tommar Wilson, and Kevin Worley

Past Broadway gypsies parody La Vie Boheme from Rent and Brand New Day from The Wiz

The Gypsy Robe Opening Number

Gypsy Robe Opening Number

Co-Hosts Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary

Linda Balgord as Sarah Palin as Mamma Rose

Kirsten Wyatt as Bristol Palin as Rizzo in Grease

Co-Host Seth Rudetsky regales all with what he's obsessed with

Meredith Inglesby

J. Austin Eyer and Kay Trinidad

Cast of THE LITTLE MERMAID performs 'Key Westside Story'

The Marvelous Wonderettes perform 'Snowfall'

Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary

Raymond Lee, Courtney Reed, and Pearce Bunting

Jon-Erik Goldberg and Heidi Godt from MAMMA MIA!

Meghann Dreyfuss

Dave August and the cast of NAKED BOYS SINGING

Dancers from the cast of THE LION KING perform 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'

'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'

'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'

'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'

AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY's Aaron Serotsky

Seth Rudetsky

The Monty Python's Spamalot cast performs 'Forget Your Troubles'

Many of the original principals join the cast of Monty Python's Spamalot

Tad Wilson and Mitchell Jarvis perform 'Hillbilly Elliot'

Wesley Taylor, Lara Janine, and Angel Reed

ROCK OF AGES' Mitchell Jarvis

The Cast of IN THE HEIGHTS sing 'The Day Goes By'

The Broadway Terminator comes back in time to save the only 3 people who can perform Sondheim - Raul Esparza, Alexander Gemignani, and Michael Cerveris

Seth Rudetsky

Daniel Radcliffe pens a new song performed by the cast of EQUUS

Daniel Radcliffe and his 'Horses'

Daniel Radcliffe

13, A New Musical in 'Under Eighteen!'

'Under Eighteen!'

'Under Eighteen!'

Gregory Jbara and his kids join Seth Rudetsky to introduce the judges

Tyne Daly spices up the show with a little leg for Jonathan Hadary

Don Richard and Jen Cody

Don Richard and Jen Cody

The Original Motormouth Maybelle's Darlene Love, Charlotte Crossley, Jennifer Lewis and Mary Bond Davis

The Many Casts of HAIRSPRAY perform 'I Know Where I've Been'

The family of HAIRSPRAY

The cast of [title of show] performs 'My First Time'

The cast of [title of show]

Tyne Daly, Jonathan Hadary, and Seth Rudetsky

Harvey Fierstein, John Lithgow, and Christine Baranski

Harvey Fierstein, John Lithgow, and Christine Baranski

The Marvelous Wonderettes take the Off-Broadway prize for top fundraising

HAIRSPRAY takes the third runner-up fundraising award

SOUTH PACIFIC takes the second runner-up fundraising award

EQUUS takes the top Broadway fundraising award

Craig Laurie excepts Best Top Fundraising National Touring Show AND awarded the overall Top Fundraising Award of the Year!

John Lithgow and Christine Baranski

Daniel Radcliffe

The cast of The Lion King takes home the best performance award!

GYPSY OF THE YEAR Competition, 2008