Hosted by Bryan Batt (La Cage aux Folles, Beauty and the Beast),
the evening will continue in the Broadway Bears tradition of auctioning
off stuffed bears dressed as Broadway characters, with all proceeds to
benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The event will begin with a
private reception at 6 PM, general admission and display of the bears
will follow at 7 PM. At 8 PM, the auction, led by Lorna Kelly, will
kick off. In addition to bids at the actual auction, pre-bids, phone
bids and internet bids will be allowed.The eighth Broadway
Bears auction last year raised $116,817 for BC/EFA, with the Glinda
bear raising the highest bid (the pink Wicked bear went for $6,000).
This year's cast of forty bears features autographed bears representing a multitude characters and actors from plays and musicals. They include: Marcus Brutus from the revival of Julius Caesar, signed by Denzel Washington, Billy Crystal from 700 Sundays signed by Crystal, John Tartaglia with Rod from Avenue Q, signed by Tartaglia, Sister Aloysius from Doubt signed by Cherry Jones, Frankie Valli fromJersey Boyssigned by John Lloyd Young and Valli, Brenda from Movin' Out signed by Billy Joel and Elizabeth Parkinson, Oscar Madison from The Odd Couple signed by Nathan Lane and Neil Simon, King Arthur from Spamalot signed by Tim Curry and Amneris from Aida signed by Elton John and Sherie Rene Scott.
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
$100 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV
or HIV-related illnesses.
Tickets for a private reception
beginning at 6PM are $150 and include a VIP advance preview of all the
bears to be auctioned, reserved priority seating, and open bar. General
admission tickets (unreserved seating) are $35, and also include open
bar. Doors open at 7PM for all general admission ticket holders, and
the auction begins at 8PM.Reservations may be made by calling
BC/EFA at (212) 840-0770, extension 268. For those who cannot make it
to the auction, but nonetheless want to take part in all the
excitement, live telephone bidding will also be available as are
pre-registered fixed bids by calling (212) 840-0770, extension 228.
Internet bidding is available by visiting www.BroadwayCares.org.