KINKY BOOTS star Wayne Brady surprised today's audience at BC/EFA's 27th annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR competition with guest rappers Christopher Jackson and Lin-Manuel Miranda from this season's Broadway sensation HAMILTON. The trio showed off their improvisational chops, topping each other in a rap battle based on words provided by the audience, including chicken, sarsaparilla, succubus, tsunami, scaffolding and condom. Brady and KINKY BOOTS took top honors for best onstage presentation. Check it out below!
Six weeks of energetic fundraising efforts by 54 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies led to an incredible $4,786,239 being raised for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The grand total was revealed by special guests Michael Cerveris, George Takei and Julie White following two festive afternoons of performances yesterday and today, December 7 and 8, 2015, at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre, home to Disney's ALADDIN. More than 150 of the most talented singers and dancers in the ensembles of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows performed original dances, songs and skits to the cheers of standing-room-only audiences.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $285 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States. Broadway Cares is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic and awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states.
