Broadway Bears Preview 1: Title Roles

BroadwayWorld presents the first in an eight-part preview series leading up to the 10th Annual Broadway Bears auction, presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Over 40 Broadway Bears are available for online bidding at BC/EFA's website (pre-bids and phone bids are also accepted).  Hosted by Bryan Batt (La Cage aux Folles, Beauty and the Beast), the live auction will take place at B.B. King Blues Club and Grill (237 W. 42nd Street) on February 11th.

Lorna Kelly will return as auctioneer for the event, which will feature a parade of bears garbed as characters from Broadway shows.  A private reception and VIP advance preview will kick off the evening at 6 PM, followed by a general admission reception and display at 7 PM and the auction itself at 8 PM.  Among the special features this year will be bears dressed as characters from Broadway's ten longest-running musicals, including Phantom Of The Opera, Cats, Les Misérables, A Chorus Line, Oh! Calcutta, Beauty And The Beast, Miss Saigon, Rent, and Chicago.  Current and recent Broadway shows such as Jersey Boys, The Drowsy Chaperone, Grey Gardens, Sweeney Todd, The Boy from Oz and Wicked will also be represented among the bears.

 
It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman Bear (Signed by Linda Lavin)
Original Designer: Florence Klotz; Bear created by Martin Izquierdo

Annie Bear (Signed by Andrea McArdle)
Original Designer: Theoni V. Aldredge; Bear created by Susan Bolt with assistance of Ryan P. McWilliams (wig)

Dracula the Musical Bear (Signed by Tom Hewitt)
Original Designer: Catherine Zuber; Bear created by Nicholas Putvinski

Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me Jiminy Glick Bear (signed by Martin Short)
Original Design by Jess Goldstein; Bear created by Rosi Zingales of Studio Rouge

The Life and Adventure of Nicholas Nickleby Bear (Signed by Roger Rees)
Original Designer: John Napier; Bear created by Richard St. Clair

 
Mary Poppins Bear (Signed by Julie Andrews)
Original Designer: Bob Crowley; Bear created by Susan Bolt
(Note: Ashley Brown currently plays Mary Poppins on Broadway)

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Bear (Signed by Patrick Page)
Original Designer: Robert Morgan; Bear created by Tricorne, Inc.

The Boy from Oz Peter Allen Bear (Signed by Hugh Jackman)
Original Designer: William Ivey Long; Bear created by Miriam Carlin