The 23rd ANNUAL EASTER BONNET COMPETITION was a great success with $3,402,147 being raised this year by the 58 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Since it began in 1987, 23 editions of the Annual Easter Bonnet Competition have raised nearly $39 million for BC/EFA.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS presented the 23rd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition on Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28 at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). The proceeds from the event benefited BC/EFA. To see even more Easter Bonnet photo fun go here!
This year's winners were announced by Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon and Geoffrey Rush.
Special guests include Don Richard and Jen Cody reprising their beloved portrayals of Urinetown's 'Officer Lockstock' and 'Little Sally' and Andrea Burns (In The Heights) singing "Help Is On The Way," the official anthem of BC/EFA.
The Easter Bonnet judges included Laura Benanti (Why Torture Is Wrong and The People Who Love Them), Brian d'Arcy James (Shrek), Marsha Mason (Impressionism),Steven Pasquale (reasons to be pretty), Alice Ripley (Next to Normal), and The Cast ofGod Of Carnage: Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, Marcia Gay Harden, and James Gandolfini.
This year's EASTER BONNET COMPETITION hosts included Joan Allen (Impressionism),Danny Burstein (South Pacific), Andre De Shields (Impressionism), Tovah Feldshuh(Irena's Vow), Gavin Creel (Hair), JohAnna Day (August: Osage County), Rebecca Luker(Mary Poppins), Karen Olivo (West Side Story), Javier Munoz (In The Heights), Thomas Sadoski (reasons to be pretty), Will Swenson (Hair), and John Tartaglia (Shrek The Musical).
The Easter Bonnet Competition, the two-day Broadway spectacular that features the companies of more than 20 Broadway, off-Broadway and touring productions singing, dancing, and donning original Easter bonnets, has become an annual Broadway tradition.
The Easter Bonnet Competition is the culmination of six intensive weeks of fundraising efforts by Broadway and Off-Broadway company members as well as numeroUs Productions currently on national tour. Curtain speeches, autographed poster and program sales, auctions, and cabaret performances bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars from audiences prior to the competition. The winner of the competition will be the company that raises the largest amount of money for BC/EFA. A second award is granted to the company with the best bonnet design and presentation. Awards are also presented to the Broadway Play, National Tour and Off-Broadway production raising the most money for BC/EFA.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-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, ThePhyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, The Dancers' Resource and three supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards annuAl Grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide.
For more information visit www.broadwaycares.org
Photos by Peter James Zielinski
The Phantom of the Opera
A 'Diva' commands!
The Phantom of the Opera
A familiar 'CAT'
The dancers thrill
Easter Bonnet beauty
Up, Up and Away!
The dancers soar...
Easter Bonnet magic...
The Cast of West Side Story
Ryan Steele and the West Side Story cast
West Side Story
Howie Michael Smith and Benjamin Schrader
Benjamin Schrader and Howie Michael Smith
John Tartaglia
'Miranda' makes a splash!
Dancers unite!
Miranda sings!
Easter Bonnet performance
What a 'SinGer' Miranda is...
John Tartaglia and Gavin Creel
Jane Fonda and Tulea
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda 'kicks it up'!
Zach Grenier
The Little Mermaid's Trevor Braun
Trevor Braun
The Little Mermaid's Trevor Braun
Gavin Creel
Steel Burkhardt and Jackie Burns
Anthony Hollock and Allison Case
The Cast of Hair camps it up!
The Cast of Hair
The Billy Elliot ballerinas welcome...
Easter Bonnet favorite, Doris Eaton Travis!
Liz Pearce, Doris Eaton Travis and Gregory Jbara
Doris Eaton Travis and Gregory Jbara
Doris Eaton Travis with a young fan
Doris Eaton Travis and Gregory Jbara
Doris Eaton Travis and Gregory Jbara
Andrea Burns
Andrea Burns and the company
Susan Sarandon
Andrea Burns
The Cast of Naked Boys Singing
Jeremy Irons
The Cast of Billy Elliot
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda and Zach Grenier celebrate an Easter Bonnet win!
Zach Grenier, Jane Fonda, Samantha Mathis and The Cast of 33 Variations
Jennifer Cody
Billy Elliot ballerinas!
Distracted's Mimi Lieber, Cynthia Nixon and Rick Holmes
Jane Fonda
Susan Sarandon announces the touring award
Anthony Rapp accepts the record breaking win for RENT
23rd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition
$3,402,147 was raised for BC/EFA
The truly divine Jane Fonda!
