Broadway Bear X Auction Raises $130,000 for BC/EFA

Broadway lovers and teddy bear collectors came together on Sunday, February 11, at the "Broadway Bears X" auction, which raised a grand total of $130,000.

The event was hosted by Bryan Batt with Lorna Kelly reprising her role as auctioneer. Forty three specially made Broadway Bears - each dressed in original, handmade costumes representing the theater's most legendary characters - were auctioned to the highest bidder in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. To date The Broadway Bears have raised well over $1.35 million to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Last year's "Broadway Bears" raised $112,000.

Top bids for bears were the $8,000 Mary Poppins bear, signed by Julie Andrews and Ashley Brown, the $6,500 The Phantom of the Opera bear, signed by Sandra Joseph and Hal Prince and the $6,000 A Chorus Line bears (17 bears in total), signed by the entire revival cast.

Several Broadway stars dropped by to lend their support to the event including Jane Carr, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Felicia Finley, Andrea Martin, Christopher Sieber, Jennifer Smith and Josh Strickland, among others. Other stars participated by lending their autographs to the various bears that were auctioned off, including Mel Brooks, Kirk Douglas, Nathan Lane, Cyndi Lauper, Patti LuPone, Donna Murphy, Rosie O'Donnell, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Martin Short.

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 distributed over $130 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV and other related illnesses.

"The Broadway Bears X" was sponsored by: The New York Times, Continental Airlines, and North American Bear Co., Inc.

For more information, please visit the BC/EFA website at www.BroadwayCares.org.