Easter Bonnet Competition Set for April 23 and April 24

The 21st Annual Easter Bonnet Competition will go on parade on April 23rd and 24th at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th St.). The shows will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The "Easter Bonnet Competition" is the two-day Broadway spectacular that features the companies of more than 20 Broadway, Off-Broadway and touring productions singing, dancing, and donning specially created Easter bonnets.

"The 'Easter Bonnet Competition' is the culmination of six intensive weeks of fundraising efforts by Broadway and Off-Broadway company members as well as numerous productions currently on national tour. Curtain speeches, autographed poster and program sales, auctions, and cabaret performances bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars from audiences prior to the competition. The winner of the competition will be the company that raises the largest amount of money for BC/EFA. A second award is granted to the company with the best bonnet design and presentation. Awards are also presented to the Broadway Play, National Tour and Off-Broadway production raising the most money for BC/EFA," state press notes.  Last year's Easter Bonnet competition raised a record-breaking $3,187,496.

The stars taking part in the competition will be announced.

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 $100 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV, or HIV-related illnesses.

Visit www.broadwaycares.org for more information.