Last Chance for 'Team Raiser' Donations For 'GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION' 12/7

Sunday, December 7 at 11:59 PM marks the last chance for theatre fans to make donations to BC/EFA's GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION via "Team Raiser," an online fundraising method at the Broadway Cares website (www.BroadwayCares.org).

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION and the first anniversary of "Team Raiser," people who make donations at www.BroadwayCares.org can enter to win the following prizes:

* FOR EACH $25 DONATION: People can enter a raffle to win a collection of autographed Playbills from All My Sons (signed by John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Patrick Wilson, Katie Holmes, and the entire company), Equus (signed by Daniel Radcliffe, Richard Griffiths, and the entire cast), and Shrek (autographed by Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster, Christopher Sieber, Daniel Breaker, John Tartaglia and the entire Broadway company).
* FOR EACH $50 DONATION: People can enter a raffle to receive two roundtrip plane tickets to anywhere in the continental United States courtesy of Continental Airlines, the official airlines of BC/EFA.
* FOR EACH $100 DONATION: People are given the opportunity to enter a raffle to win a New York City weekend getaway. The winner will receive two round trip plane tickets from anywhere in the continental US to New York courtesy Continental Airlines, the official airlines of BC/EFA; a two night stay at a New York City hotel; and two VIP house seats to the show of their choice.

To make a donation via "Team Raiser" please visit www.BroadwayCares.org.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to be eligible for the raffles, donations via "Team Raiser" must be made between Monday, October 27 (12:01 AM) and Sunday, December 7 (11:59 PM). One winner will be chosen per price break. Raffle winners will be drawn on Wednesday, December 10. Certain restrictions apply.

The 20TH ANNUAL GYPSY OF THE YEAR will be held Monday, December 8 at 4:30 PM and Tuesday, December 9 at 2 PM at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street) with Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky (The Ritz, host of Sirius Satellite Radio's "Seth's Big Fat Broadway") serving as host. Rudetsky will be joined by Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary, the hosts of the first GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, who are returning to help kick off the event. Tickets for the event are on sale now.

This year's GYPSY OF THE YEAR will feature on-stage presentations by 15 companies including: 13; August: Osage County; Equus; Grease; Gypsy; Hairspray; In The Heights; Mamma Mia!; Naked Boys Singing; Rock of Ages; Monty Python's Spamalot; South Pacific; The Lion King; The Little Mermaid and The Marvelous Wonderettes (with possibly more to come).

GYPSY OF THE YEAR favorites Jen Cody and Don Richard will return as ‘Little Sally' and ‘Officer Lockstock.' The cast of [title of show] Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Susan Blackwell will return to Broadway for a special appearance, presenting the show's final number.

Cited as "possibly the season's most dazzling talent show," the GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, the all-singing, all-dancing, all-dishing extravaganza, is easily the biggest party in town! Organizers of the event are expecting performers from Broadway and Off-Broadway's biggest and most lavish productions.

THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is the culmination of six weeks of fund raising when shows on and Off-Broadway engage in a friendly competition to see which show can raise the most money for the organization. Awards are presented to the companies that raise the most money and for the winning presentation.

TO BUY TICKETS TO GYPSY OF THE YEAR: VIP and Priority tickets ($350 and $200) and other tickets ($110/$40/$20) can be purchased online at www.BroadwayCares.org, in person at BC/EFA (165 West 46th Street, Suite 1300), by phone at (212) 840-0770, or at the door the day of the event.

TO DONATE VIA "TEAM RAISER" OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: visit www.BroadwayCares.org or call (212) 840-0770 ext. 268.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grants making organization. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes and other critical illnesses across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $150 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses.

BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors' Fund - including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic at The Aurora in NYC, The Dancers' Resource and two supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations yearly.

THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is sponsored by:
Continental Airlines, the official airline of BC/EFA, The M•A•C AIDS Fund, The New York Times

For more information, visit: www.BroadwayCares.org