TV EXCLUSIVE: BroadwayWorld Bids Farewell to BC/EFA BROADWAY BEARS Benefit; Inside the Final Event!

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The 15th and grand finale edition of THE BROADWAY BEARS, the annual auction of handmade, one-of-a-kind, theatrically costumed teddy bears, raised a record-setting $198,300 on Sunday, benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. BroadwayWorld on hand and brings you an exclusive look inside at the farewell event.

Broadway lovers and teddy bear collectors came together yesterday, March 18 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42nd Street) for one last time to bid on – and bid adieu to – museum-quality bears representing legendary theatrical characters and autographed by the stars who made those characters famous.

The cumulative fundraising total for the 15 editions of THE BROADWAY BEARS auctions is a remarkable $2,048,427. The previous fund-raising record was $170,000 set in 2002.

The top bid for the 2012 auction went to a stunning recreation of Joey from the Tony Award-winning War Horse. Designed by Barak Stribling and Jamie Filippelli and based on the working drawings the Handspring Puppet Theatre used for the Broadway production, the Joey bear came complete with his own bear handlers. Seth Numrich, who starred as ‘Albert’ in the Broadway production, signed the bear and helped lead the live auction bidding to a staggering $20,000 final price tag.

For a run-down of the event highlights, click here!

The unique event was again hosted by the always entertaining Broadway, television and film star Bryan Batt (“Mad Men,” Jeffrey) with the delightful Lorna Kelly reprising her role as auctioneer.

Several other Broadway stars dropped by to lend their support to the event including Danny Burstein, Faith Dane, Harvey Evans, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Zach James, Jeremy Jordan, Donnie Kehr, Ilene Kristen, Norm Lewis, Rebecca Luker, Andrea McArdle, Michele McConnell, Judy McLane, Laura Osnes, Patrick Page, Justin Matthew Sargent and Jennifer Smith.

The evening's opening number was performed by Christine Pedi, Kurt Peterson and music director Michael Lavine. It was written by Douglas Braverman.

For more information, visit broadwaycares.org.