Photo Coverage: Inside the BROADWAY BEARS XV Grand Finale!
By: Genevieve Rafter Keddy Mar. 20, 2012
The 15th and grand finale edition of THE BROADWAY BEARS, the annual auction of handmade, one-of-a-kind, theatrically costumed teddy bears, raised a record-setting $198,300 on Sunday, benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Broadway lovers and teddy bear collectors came together yesterday, March 18 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42nd Street) for one last time to bid on – and bid adieu to – museum-quality bears representing legendary theatrical characters and autographed by the stars who made those characters famous.
The cumulative fundraising total for the 15 editions of THE BROADWAY BEARS auctions is a remarkable $2,048,427. The previous fund-raising record was $170,000 set in 2002.
BroadwayWorld was there for the big event, and we bring you photos from the Grand Finale below!
The top bid for the 2012 auction went to a stunning recreation of Joey from the Tony Award-winning War Horse. Designed by Barak Stribling and Jamie Filippelli and based on the working drawings the Handspring Puppet Theatre used for the Broadway production, the Joey bear came complete with his own bear handlers. Seth Numrich, who starred as 'Albert' in the Broadway production, signed the bear and helped lead the live auction bidding to a staggering $20,000 final price tag.
The unique event was again hosted by the always entertaining Broadway, television and film star Bryan Batt ("Mad Men," Jeffrey) with the delightful Lorna Kelly reprising her role as auctioneer.
Several other Broadway stars dropped by to lend their support to the event including Danny Burstein, Faith Dane, Harvey Evans, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Zach James, Jeremy Jordan, Donnie Kehr, Ilene Kristen, Norm Lewis, Rebecca Luker, Andrea McArdle, Michele McConnell, Judy McLane, Laura Osnes, Patrick Page, Justin Matthew Sargent and Jennifer Smith.
The evening's opening number was performed by Christine Pedi, Kurt Peterson and music director Michael Lavine. It was written by Douglas Braverman.
For more information, visit broadwaycares.org.
Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy
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Grand Hotel
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Follies
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Sunset Boulevard
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Torch Song Trilogy, Me and My Girl, Candide, Journey's End and Dreamgirls
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Shrek The Musical
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The Crucifer of Blood
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Bette Midler's Clams on The Half Shell Review
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Danny Burstein and The Drowsy Chaperone Bear
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Jerusalem
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Driving Miss Daisy
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Nine
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Evita
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Lombardi
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How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
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Priscilla Queen of the Desert
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The Pee-Wee Herman Show
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Li'l Abner
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Promises, Promises
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Cats
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Fiddler on The Roof
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A Chorus Line
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Gypsy
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The Original Mazeppa Faith Dane and Richie Ridge
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The Big River
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Sister Act
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Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway
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Anything Goes
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George M.
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Harvey Evans, Zachery James, Scott T. Stevens and Danny Burstein
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Rebecca Luker and Danny Burstein
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Pam Myers and Harvey Evans
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Hunter Ryan Herdlicka and A Little Night Music Bear
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Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Bryan Batt, Lorna Kelly
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Donnie Kehr with The Billy Elliot Bear
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Gypsy
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Jennifer Smith, Bryan Batt, Lorna Kelly and The Wicked Bear
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Michelle McConnell and The Phantom of The Opera Bear
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Rebecca Luker, Bryan Batt, Lorna Kelly and The Mary Poppins Bear
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Patrick Page, Bryan Batt, Lorna Kelly and The Lion King Bear
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Patrick Page and The Lion King Bear
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Norm Lewis and The Porgy and Bess Bear
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Harvey Evans, Bryan Batt and The Follies Bear
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Justin Sargent and The Rock of Ages Bear
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Norm Lewis and King Triton from Little Mermaid
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Donnie Kehr and The Frankie Vali Bear from Jersey Boys
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Danny Burstein and Jennifer Smith with Aldolpho Bear from The Drowsy Chaperone
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Zachery James and Bryan Batt with the Uncle Fester Bear from The Addams Family
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Jennifer Smith and Bryan Batt with The Producers Bear
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Jeremy Jordon with Newsies Bear
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Patrick Page with The Green Goblin from Spiderman
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Eileen Kristen, Bryan Batt with Rizzo from Grease
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Jennifer Smith and Bryan Batt with Exit The Kind
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