Stars of THE CHER SHOW, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, and More to Appear at BC/EFA's EASTER BONNET COMPETITION

Many of Broadway's brightest stars, most sensational ensembles and illustrious legends will make special appearances at the 33rd annual Easter Bonnet Competition on Monday, April 22, at 4:30 pm and Tuesday, April 23, at 2 pm.

The Easter Bonnet Competition (#broadwaybonnets) is the culmination celebration of six weeks of fundraising by Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The winners of top fundraiser, best presentation and best bonnet design, as well as the much-anticipated spring fundraising total, will be announced Tuesday by Bryan Cranston (Network), Jeff Daniels (To Kill a Mockingbird), Glenda Jackson (King Lear) and Kelli O'Hara (Kiss Me, Kate).

The Easter Bonnet Competition also will feature Stephen Ashfield, Kim Exum and Cody Jamison Strand (The Book of Mormon); Micaela Diamond and Jarrod Spector (The Cher Show); Bongi Duma and Tryphena Wade (The Lion King); Gideon Glick, Celia Keenan-Bolgerand Will Pullen (To Kill a Mockingbird); Andy Karl and Orfeh (Pretty Woman); and Beth Leaveland Christopher Sieber (The Prom). Jayne Houdyshell (King Lear), Heidi Schreck (What the Constitution Means to Me) and James Snyder (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) will introduce the competition's judges at Tuesday's performance.

Shows scheduled to present songs, skits or dances and stunning handcrafted bonnets include Aladdin, Avenue Q, Be More Chill, The Cher Show, Come From Away, Fiddler on the Roof - in Yiddish, Frozen, King Kong, Network and NEWSical the Musical. A special Bonnet Parade will also include custom-crafted bonnets from Kiss Me, Kate; Waitress; Wicked; and the national tour of Hello, Dolly! as well as Broadway Cares affiliate organizations Broadway Green Alliance, Broadway Serves and R.Evolución Latina.

The two performances are produced by and benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Cast, crews and volunteers have been standing with Broadway Cares' signature #redbuckets in hand at theatre exits accepting donations. The donations become grants that provide lifesaving medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

This year's show will take place at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre, home to Disney's The Lion King.

Karen Mason (Love Never Dies) will perform David Friedman's "Help Is on the Way," the longtime Easter Bonnet Competition closing anthem.

A panel of distinguished judges will determine best presentation honors at Tuesday's performance. This year's judges are Gbenga Akinnagbe (To Kill a Mockingbird); Samantha Barks (Pretty Woman); Lisa Brescia and Andrew Barth Feldman (Dear Evan Hansen); Paige Davis (Chicago, host of TV's Trading Spaces); Jenny Jules (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child); Patrick Page (Hadestown); Emily Skinner and Teal Wicks (The Cher Show); and Mary Testa (Oklahoma!). Also joining the panel are Nathan Noh and Peg Wendlandt, who won their judging spots by bidding on exclusive VIP packages at the 32nd Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction in September.

Performing shows and special guests are subject to change.

The opening number will be directed and choreographed by James Kinney and written and co-directed by Billy Hipkins. The incredible fundraising effort of national tours across the country will be represented in a number directed and choreographed by Richard J. Hinds. Kinney also will present a piece he choreographed for Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. It will be performed by Ahmad Simmons (Hadestown) and Corey John Snide (Carousel).

A limited number of tickets, starting at $30, are available. They can be purchased at broadwaycares.org.

Easter Bonnet Competition will be directed by Kathleen E. Purvis with Arabella Powell serving as production stage manager, Ted Arthur as music director and Charles Gordon as orchestra coordinator. Sound design is by Alain Van Achte; lighting design is by Timothy Reed.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos