Jones, Neuwirth, Light et al. Join Channing for BC/EFA's GYPSY OF THE YEAR Celebration, 12/6 & 12/7

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will present the 22nd Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION on Monday, December 6 (4:30 PM) and Tuesday, December 7 (2 PM) at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 W. 42nd Street). The proceeds from the event, a dazzling once-a-year variety show filled with lavish musical numbers, original skits and Broadway stars, will benefit BC/EFA.

This year's GYPSY OF THE YEAR will be hosted by Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky ("Seth's Big Fat Broadway" on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio).

As previously announced, the opening number will feature the legendary Carol Channing performing some of her most beloved songs. The number will be staged by choreographers Melissa Rae Mahon and Sean McKnight with musical direction by Ben Cohn, special lyrics by Rob Krausz and costumes by Brian Hemesath.

This year's judges include Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley (Next to Normal); Alison Fraser (The Divine Sister); Boyd Gaines (Driving Miss Daisy); Bebe Neuwirth (The Addams Family); Eve Plumb (Miss Abigail's Guide...); Patricia White (President, Local 764 - Theatrical Wardrobe Union); and Nick Wyman (President of Actors' Equity).

This year's celebrity presenters include Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (A Little Night Music), Cherry Jones (Mrs. Warren's Profession), T.R. Knight (A Life in the Theatre), Judith Light (Lombardi), Bernadette Peters (A Little Night Music), David Hyde Pierce (La Bête), Billy Porter (Angels in America), Colin Quinn (Colin Quinn Long Story Short) and Elizabeth Stanley (Million Dollar Quartet).

Shows scheduled to present include: The Addams Family; Billy Elliot; Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; Chicago; Fela; In The Heights; the national tour of Jersey Boys; La Cage aux Folles; The Lion King; Mamma Mia; Mary Poppins; the national tour of Mary Poppins; My Big Gay Italian Wedding; Promises, Promises; Rock of Ages; Wicked; and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

There also will be a special presentation by choreographer Shea Sullivan in tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Gypsy Robe, a Broadway tradition passed on opening nights from musical-to-musical honoring each show's chorus member with the most Broadway credits.

Described as "possibly the season's most dazzling talent show," the GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, the all-singing, all-dancing, all-dishing extravaganza, is easily the biggest party in town! Organizers of the event are expecting performers from Broadway and Off-Broadway's biggest and most lavish productions.

THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is the culmination of six weeks of fundraising when shows on and Off-Broadway engage in a friendly competition to see which show can raise the most money for the organization. Awards are presented to the companies that raise the most money and for the winning presentation.

TO BUY TICKETS TO GYPSY OF THE YEAR: VIP and Priority tickets ($350 and $200) and other tickets ($110/$40/$20) can be purchased online at www.broadwaycares.org, in person at BC/EFA (165 West 46th Street, Suite 1300), by phone at 212-840-0770, or at the door the day of the event.

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 over $195 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

BC/EFA also awards annual grants to more than 400 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors Fund, including The HIV/AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic and more.

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

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos