TV: Broadway Beat - Gypsy Of The Year 2006!

This week is another super-sized episode dedicated solely to BC/EFA's 18th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition which was co-hosted this year by Marin Mazzie ad Jonathan Hadary. Broadway Beat brings you highlights of this special event, backstage interviews and more. You won't want to miss this episode filled with those stars treading the boards on the Great White Way!

This past year, over $3 million was raised by the over 50 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS beating last year's total of $2,972,721. The Color Purple pulled in the most money this year ($194,500), and was followed by Wicked, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Phantom of the Opera and Jersey Boys. The Color Purple also won the presentation award, with The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast tying for runner up.

The Competition is "the all-singing, all-dancing, all-dishing extravaganza, is easily the biggest party in town! Organizers of the event are expecting performers from the theatre community's biggest and most lavish productions, including Beauty and the Beast, A Chorus Line, The Color Purple, The Drowsy Chaperone, Hairspray, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, Rent, Tarzan, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Wedding Singer, Wicked, and more."

Broadway Beat, the popular weekly television program for and about the theatre world, right here on the web site. Broadway Beat is the premier, award-winning half hour television program covering theatre, music and performers. Each week, the show's popular and knowledgeable host, Richard Ridge, takes you behind-the-scenes for a look at the very best of New York Theatre - on Broadway, and beyond. The show always features beautiful footage shot by video veteran Bradshaw Smith. Now, in its 16th year, Broadway Beat takes you from the rehearsal studios to opening nights, including in-depth interviews with Tony Award winning stars and directors. Broadway Beat is your front row seat to all the music, all the magic, and all of the magnificent drama that is Broadway.