Broadway Bares XVII Raises Record Funds for BC/EFA

"Broadway Bares XVII: Myth Behavior" was a great success, raising a record shattering $743,787 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The previous record was set in 2006, with $659,500 raised. The first "Broadway Bares" – at which founder Jerry Mitchell and six friends danced for tips at a bar in Chelsea - raised $8,000 in 1991. Since then, 17 editions of "Broadway Bares" have collectively raised over $4.8 million to benefit BC/EFA.

The show is produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, executive produced by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray, La Cage Aux Folles, The Full Monty) and directed by Denis Jones (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Legally Blonde) with associate director, Peter Gregus (Jersey Boys).

The evening ended with representatives from the M•A•C AIDS Fund, presenting BC/EFA with a check for $115,000 which helped set this year's record. This marks M•A•C's 10th year sponsoring "Broadway Bares."

The evening "featured the work of 17 choreographers and over 240 of the sexiest chorus boys and girls from Broadway's biggest shows baring (almost) all to benefit BC/EFA," according to press notes.

Highlights from this year's "Broadway Bares" included:

·         Leslie Kritzer (A Catered Affair, Legally Blonde) as the evening's leading lady, "Frustracia," a Greek woman who finds her carnal desires wanting more attention. Kritzer brought the house down with the show's opening number, an original song penned by Gary Adler (Altar Boyz). The evening featured a book by Jeffrey Lane (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).

The number "Heroes" brought to life some of the sexiest heroes and most seductive of Greek villains. Dancers featured in the number included, Michael Balderamma as "Adonis," Greg Butler as "The Minotaur," Brian O'Brien as "The Cyclops," Keith Roberts as "Hercules," Megan Sikora as "Athena," and Kissy Simmons as "The Harpy" with Tim Bish, Michelle Camaya, and Lorin Lotarro as "their hapless, beautiful victims."

·         Tony Award winners Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago) aned David Hyde Pierce (Curtains) took the stage as the Queen and King of the gods, "Hera" and "Zeus." Zeus recounted Hera's many vengeful acts that fill classic Greek mythology. Pierce even cited the more recent, "scheduling the Tonys opposite the last episode of 'The Sopranos,' to which, Neuwirth quipped, "I'm a funny bitch."

·        Featured dancers Marielys Molina (one of this year's "Bares" poster girls) and Nick Kenkel recreated the mythological characters of "Medusa" and "Perseus" respectively. The number featured Molina dancing to Nelly Furtado's hit song "Maneater" and Kenkel ripping off some of the sexiest armor ever seen.

·         Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent, Jack Goes Boating) performing her rendition of the Elton John classic, "Rocketman" while The Living Art of Armando showcased some of their ariel talents in a number dedicated to the myth of Icarus.

·         Annaleigh Ashford (Legally Blonde), Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde) and Deidre Goodwin (A Chorus Line) appeared as "The Broadway Sirens" and seduced audience members (yep, even the gay ones) with their beautiful rendition of, "The Love Boat Theme".

·         Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (A Catered Affair, Hairspray) in eye-popping "Pandora" drag begging Kritzer's "Frustracia" to open his magic box.

·         Capathia Jenkins (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me) as "Venus" (or as she likes to be called, "Afro-dite") closing the show with "Bares" poster boy Ven Daniel as "Cupid," Kritzer as "Frustracia," and the entire "Broadway Bares" cast with a disco version of The Beatles classic "All You Need Is Love."

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater 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 it's founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $130 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV, or HIV-related illnesses.

For more information and photos, call (212) 840-0770 or visit www.BroadwayCares.org.  Visit this link and this link to view BroadwayWorld's star-studded photo coverage from onstage and backstage at "Broadway Bares: Myth Behavior."

Photo by Linda Lenzi - Joe Aaron Reid, Leslie Kritzer and Robb Sherman