Broadway Bears Preview 4: Leading Men

BroadwayWorld presents the fourth 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.

Visit www.broadwaycares.org for more information.

 
Jersey Boys Frankie Valli Bear (signed by Christian Hoff, Daniel Reichard, J. Robert Spencer, John Lloyd Young, Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli)
Original Designer: Jess Goldstein; Bear created by Rosi Zingales of Studio Rouge

Guys and Dolls revival Nathan Detroit Bear (Signed by Nathan Lane)
Original Designer: William Ivey Long; Bear created by Jan Kastendieck

Baker Street Sherlock Holmes Bear (Signed by Fritz Weaver)
Original Designer: Motley; Bear created by Noel Noblitt

Rent Benjamin Coffin III Bear
Original Design: Angela Wendt; Bear created by John Henson

The Pajama Game Revival Finale Bear (one bear, matching looks; signed by Harry Connick Jr. and Kelli O'Hara)
Original Designer: Martin Pakledinaz; Bear created by Eric Winterling

The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee Leaf Coneybear Bear (Signed by Jesse Tyler Ferguson)
Original Designer: Jennifer Caprio; Bear created by Matthew Hemesath

Man of La Mancha Dr. Carrasco Bear (Signed by Stephen Bogardus)
Original Designer: Howard Bay and Patton Campbell; Bear Created by Martin Izquierdo

Spamalot Black Knight Bear (signed by Christopher Sieber and Eric Idle)
Original Designer: Tim Hatley; Bear created by Sam Hill