BWW Nothing Like a Dame Special: Ana Gasteyer

BroadwayWorld.com presents the first in a series of Broadway profiles leading up to the 12th Annual "Nothing Like a Dame" benefit, presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on March 19, 2007 at 8:00 PM at the Marquis Theatre (1565 Broadway).  "Nothing Like a Dame" benefits the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of The Actors' Fund of America.

Ana Gasteyer recently played Elphaba on Broadway in Wicked and Mrs. Peachum in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of The Threepenny Opera at Studio 54.  Her other numerous NYC stage credits include: The Rocky Horror Show (Broadway), Kimberly Akimbo (Manhattan Theater Club), the Off Broadway companies of: Roulette, and The Vagina Monologues, and Cinderella (NYC Opera). Regionally she has appeared as Elphaba in the Chicago company of Wicked (Jefferson Award nomination), Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (Pittsburgh CLO), and Mary Zimmerman's The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. Her film work includes Reefer Madness the musical (Showtime), Mean Girls, What Women Want, Dick and What's the Worst That Could Happen? A former member of L.A.'s comedy troupe The Groundlings, Ana is probably best known for her work on NBC's "Saturday Night Live." Other TV work includes: "Frasier," "Just Shoot Me," "3rd Rock From The Sun," "Seinfeld," and "Law and Order." Her recordings include the Grammy nominated Actors' Fund benefit recording of Hair and Showtime's Reefer Madness. A strong supporter of BC/EFA, Ana has appeared on stage in The Easter Bonnet Competition and Gypsy of the Year.  Last summer, Ana hosted The Fire Island Dance Festival for Dancers Responding to AIDS and has plans to present her musical evening "Let It Rip" as a benefit event for DRA in 2007.

The benefit will also feature Liz Callaway, Victoria Clark, Kate Clinton, Joyce DiDonato, Jill Eikenberry, Melissa Errico, Sutton Foster, Jenn Gambatese, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Milena Govich, Jennifer Holliday, Judy Kuhn, Beth Leavel, Julianna Margulies, Maureen McGovern, Varla Jean Merman, Julia Murney, Bebe Neuwirth, Lynn Redgrave, Lea Salonga, Jennifer Smith, Julie White, Tika Sumpter, young dancers of the Westchester Dance Academy, the women of In the Heights, and the women of Company.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American Theatre 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 its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $130 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses.

The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative dedicates a range of resources solely to addressing the health needs and concerns specific to women in the entertainment industry, providing direct services and financial assistance to many women who are often without health insurance. The Initiative has helped clients confront breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers; domestic violence, chemical dependency, mental health, and other conditions. Inspired by actor/director Phyllis Newman, a breast cancer survivor, The Women's Health Initiative was launched in 1996 with the leadership of Broadway Cares. The Initiative provides comprehensive case management services, caring for women with a wide array of health-related concerns, including breast, ovarian, and other cancers; domestic violence; anorexia and bulimia; HIV and AIDS; menopause; substance abuse; Lupus; depression; mental health issues; chronic fatigue syndrome; and osteoporosis.

Visit www.broadwaycares.org for tickets and more information.

Photo of Ana Gasteyer by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.