10th Annual Broadway Bears, Hosted by Batt, Set for 2/11

The 10th annual "Broadway Bears" auction has been slated for February 11th, 2007.  Once again hosted by Bryan Batt (La Cage aux Folles, Beauty and the Beast), it will take place at B.B. King Blues Club and Grill (237 W. 42nd Street).

Lorna Kelly will return as auctioneer for the event, which will feature a parade of bears garbed as characters from Broadway shows.  A private reception and VIP advance preview will kick off the evening at 6 PM, followed by a general admission reception and display at 7 PM and the auction itself at 8 PM.

Among the special features this year will be bears dressed as characters from Broadway's ten longest-running musicals, including Phantom Of The Opera, Cats, Les Misérables, A Chorus Line, Oh! Calcutta, Beauty And The Beast, Miss Saigon, Rent, and Chicago.  Current and recent Broadway shows such as Jersey Boys, The Drowsy Chaperone, Grey Gardens, Sweeney Todd, The Boy from Oz and Wicked will also be represented among the over forty bears.

To date, "Broadway Bears" has raised well over $1.3 million to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Last year's Broadway Bears raised $114,638.

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.

Phone bids, pre-bids and online bids will be accepted.  Visit www.broadwaycares.org for more information and a look at some of this year's "Broadway Bears."