B.B. King Hosts Annual 'Broadway Bears' BC/EFA Benefit, 2/14

The annual Broadway Bears fundraiser for BC/EFA is set to take place on February 14, 2010. The online pre-bidding is now open to the public here.  Now in its 13th year, Broadway Bears XIII will take place at at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Times Square.

BROADWAY BEARS is an auction featuring a cuddly chorus line of one-of-a-kind teddy bears, each meticulously outfitted in original, handmade costumes by Broadway's leading costume designers and representing memorable characters from plays and musicals, past and present. The skill and imagination devoted to the creation of these coveted collectibles has been recognized worldwide, from The Museum of The City of New York - where 10 bear alumni reside as part of the permanent costume collection - to media acclaim as far away as England and Japan.

Noted designers such as Bob Mackie have created original bears for these auctions. Many of The bears are signed by the stars they're modeled after and who wore the human-sized costume and put up for auction to raise money for BC/EFA.  The bears are donated by The North American Bear Company. 

The Broadway Bears XIII list (subject to change) includes grizzly models representing:

9 to 5
33 Variations
A Chorus Line
A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine
A Little Night Music (2009 Revival)
A Steady Rain
Alice in Wonderland
Billy Elliot
Blithe Spirit (2009 Revival)
Cats
Chicago
Curtains
Destry Rides Again
Exit the King (2009 Revival)
Finian's Rainbow (2009 Revival)
Hair (2009 Revival)
Journey's End (2007 Revival)
L'il Abner
The Lion King
Liza's at the Palace
M. Butterfly
Mary Poppins
Merlin
My One and Only
Peter Pan (1979 Revival)
Rent
Rock of Ages
The Royal Family (2009 Revival)
Shrek the Musical
South Pacific (2008 Revival)
Spamalot
Sugar
Thoroughly Modern Millie
White Christmas
Wicked
Wishful Drinking
The Wiz
Xanadu
Young Frankenstein
Ziegfeld Follies of 1936

Special Lots include:

Beatlemania
The Drowsy Chaperone
Giselle (ABT)
La Cage aux Folles (Doll)

Last year's Broadway Bears XII raise a recession-defying $152,116, over $20,000 more than 2008's auction total of $130,878. For more information on the event and to participate in the online auction now, click here.