Make sure you're red bucket ready!
Spring has sprung, and that means that theatre lobbies across the country are filled with casts, crew members and volunteers fundraising with iconic #redbuckets in hand, culminating in the 33rd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition (#BroadwayBonnets) on Monday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The event is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Every dollar dropped in a bucket will help provide lifesaving medication, healthy meals, emergency financial assistance and more to the most vulnerable among us. A $10 donation covers one HIV test at a health clinic. A $50 donation provides 20 nutritious meals delivered to homebound individuals living with HIV/AIDS and other debilitating illnesses.
In exchange for a donation, audiences at many shows can receive autographed posters, Playbills and other memorabilia or one-of-a-kind experiences, including backstage tours and meet-and-greets.What items and special experiences has each show made available for fundraising season? We've got a full list below!
Note: Items listed below are only available from Broadway Cares volunteers after performances. Items offered are subject to change and availability.
For sale at the theatre:
-Chef's apron with the Genie's image and that says "You Ain't Never Had A Chef Like Me"
- A Jasmine-blue v-neck t-shirt that says "Why Can't A Woman Run The Kingdom?"
- A black t-shirt with artwork showing Jafar's face (Jonathan Freeman gave as opening night gifts to the original cast and crew)
- Signed window card
For auction at the theatre:
- At Saturday matinees: a limited number of backstage tours for groups of up to four people, culminating with the audience members getting to hold the magic lamp for photos with a cast member.
For auction online:
- VIP backstage package: 2 tickets to see the show, a backstage tour with a meet and greet and photos with the Genie, Aladdin and Jasmine out of costume and a signed poster and Playbill.
- An opportunity to sit in the orchestra pit during a performance with 2 additional tickets for the winner's guests for that performance, a signed poster and signed Playbill.
For sale at the theatre:
- Signed Playbills
- Signed posters
For auction at the theatre:
- On Friday and Saturday nights: big prize changes each night!
For sale at the theatre:
- Signed Playbills
- Signed posters
For sale at the theatre:
- Signed Playbills ($40)
- Signed window cards ($100)
For auction at the theatre:
- Playbills, window cards, and some other surprises signed by Bob Mackie and Cher!
For sale at the theatre:
- DEH buttons
- Squishy stress-relief apples
- Signed cast grid photos (same poster that hangs outside our stage door)
- Signed Playbills
- Signed posters
For auction at the theatre:
-The "CONNOR" signed arm cast from that day's show - signed by the whole cast.
-At select performances only: the opportunity to come up onstage and take a photo with the cast.
For sale at the theatre:
-On Saturday, April 20: the children in the cast will host a between-shows bake sale in front of the theater.
For auction at the theatre:
- Signed posters
- Aprons
- Koozies
For sale at the theatre:
- Signed Playbills
- Signed posters
- Posters and paper props signed by Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Pieces of the original turntable signed by Lin-Manuel Miranda
For sale at the theatre:
- Signed window cards
- An assortment of animal figurines and jewelry from Africa
- Photos with a cast member
- Face painting
- Backstage tours
- Lion King/Broadway Cares themed buttons
For sale at the theatre:
- Signed posters
- Signed Playbills
- Red tickets signed by Eric William Morris
- Kong rope keychains
-A package set of a "I "Kong" NY" tote bag with signed poster and red ticked included
For sale at the theatre:
- Signed posters ($100)
- Kevin G. ripped Mathletes shirts signed by the Mathletes, Cady, and Ms. Norbury ($20)
- Black aprons that have the outline of the three Plastics and the phrase "I'm a Cool Mom" ($20)
- Backstage tours that includes meeting one or two of the principal actors and getting a photo ($300)
- At certain performances: appearances from Tina Fey!
For auction online:
- 2 seats to a performance and a Meet and Greet with Tina Fey.
- A walk on role, 2 tickets for their friends and family to see them, and a signed poster.-Tina's personal vintage Upright Citizen's Brigade Assssscat shirt from the late '90s-Tina's Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary t-shirt - the first season she was Head Writer
-Tina's Personal Wrap Shirt from the Mean Girls Movie Set
-Tina's Personal Wrap Shirt from the Last Day of Shooting the 30 Rock Pilot
-Tina's one-of-a-kind, deeply personal James Perse-designed "Thank You" T-shirt that she wore during her final Saturday Night Live episode
For sale at the theatre:
- Signed props
- Signed posters
- Signed Playbills
For auction at the theatre:
-Signed Playbills
-Signed posters
-Pretty Woman drum head signed by Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance and the full cast
For sale at the theatre:
- The Barry Glickman Big Gay Snack Pack (Cheetos and a pride flag)
- A recorder and the music to "Acceptance"
- Signed posters
For sale at the theatre:
- Signed posters ($300)
For sale at the theatre:
- Signed Playbills
Last year, 62 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national tours raised $5.7 million during the Easter Bonnet Competition fundraising.
In celebration of their fundraising efforts, performers from Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies will share original songs and skits, as well as their unique bonnet designs, for two afternoons at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street, New York City), home to Disney's The Lion King. Performances begin at 4:30 pm April 22 and 2 pm April 23. Awards will be presented to the best presentation and best bonnet design across both performances and to the top fundraisers from the preceding six weeks.
Since 1987, the 32 editions of the Easter Bonnet Competition have raised $80.9 million to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Tickets to Easter Bonnet Competition can be purchased online at broadwaycares.org or by calling 212.840.0770, ext. 229. VIP and Priority tickets are $375 and $250, respectively, and other tickets are available at $130, $50 and $30.
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