Photo Coverage: Original Broadway Cast of GREASE Reunites at GYPSY OF THE YEAR
By: Walter McBride Dec. 07, 2011
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' 23rd Annual Gypsy of the Year, which was presented Monday, December 5 and 6, at the New Amsterdam Theatre, featured performances by 17 of the hottest Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, a 40-year reunion of the original Broadway cast of Grease, a tribute to national touring companies and appearances by more than 300 actors, singers and dancers.
The opening number featured the original Broadway cast of Grease reuniting for a special 40-year anniversary tribute. Among the stars returning to the stage from one of the most popular musicals in Broadway history are Barry Bostwick (Danny), Carole Demas (Sandy), Adrienne Barbeau (Betty Rizzo), Alan Paul (Teen Angel/Johnny Casino) and Walter Bobbie (Roger). Also joining the opening number reunion are original cast members Don Billett (Vince Fontaine), James Canning (Doody), Daniel Douglas (Burger Palace Boy), Katie Hanley (Marty), Tom Harris (Eugene Florczyk ), Ilene Kristen (Patty Simcox), Joy Rinaldi (Pink Lady) and Mews Small (Frenchy). Grease, with book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and WarRen Casey, garnered seven Tony Award nominations and played 3,388 Broadway performances before closing April 13, 1980.
BroadwayWorld was there for the reunion and brings you full coverage below!
This year’s Gypsy of the Year was again hosted by Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky, host of "Seth’s Big Fat Broadway" on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. The all-singing, all-dancing Gypsy of the Year is the culmination of six weeks of intensive fundraising by Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. It's also a sensational display of the most talented singers and dancers in the ensemble of shows, known as "gypsies." Awards are presented to the top fundraisers and for the best presentation during the two performances.
Last year, Gypsy of the Year raised $3,776,720, pushing the competition's 22-year total to $44,136,720. This year's grand total reached a whopping $4,895,253! The competition's fundraising awards were presented today by Hugh Jackman (Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway), Bernadette Peters (Follies) and Daniel Radcliffe (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying).
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
The BC/BFA Gypsy Of The Year Original Broadway Cast of 'Grease' Reunion at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City on 12/6/2011.
Kenneth Waissman
Kenneth Waissman
Daniel Douglas
Mews Small
Mews Small
Barry Bostwick and Carol Demas
The Female Cast
Male Cast Members
The Cast
The Cast with Tom Moore and Patricia Birch
'GREASE' is the word....
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