27th Annual EASTER BONNET COMPETITION Set for 4/22 at the Minskoff Theatre

The 27th Annual EASTER BONNET COMPETITION, produced by and benefiting BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS, will be held on Monday, April 22 (4:30 PM) and Tuesday, April 23 (2 PM) at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street, NYC), home to the long-running musical hit Disney's The Lion King.

The EASTER BONNET COMPETITION is a two-day Broadway spectacular that celebrates six weeks of intensive fundraising efforts by Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring productions. Performers from participating shows sing, dance and wear stunningly creative and outrageously original Easter bonnets in this well-loved annual Broadway tradition. The winner of the Easter Bonnet Competition will be the company that raises the most for BC/EFA. Awards also are given for best bonnet design and best presentation during the performances on April 22 and 23.

Hosts, judges and special guests for this year's EASTER BONNET COMPETITION will be announced in the coming weeks.

Last year's EASTER BONNET COMPETITION raised $3,677,855. Since 1987, the 26 editions of this highly anticipated annual event have brought in more than $49 million.

Tickets for the EASTER BONNET COMPETITION are available now at broadwaycares.org or by calling 212.840.0770, ext. 268. Tickets are $350 for VIP orchestra; $200 priority center orchestra; $120 side orchestra and front mezzanine; $40 rear side orchestra and middle mezzanine; and $20 rear mezzanine.

The Easter Bonnet Competition is generously sponsored by The New York Times and United Airlines.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $225 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Broadway Cares awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic.

For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at broadwaycares.org.