Update on BC/EFA Auction at RENT: The Broadway Tour

The smash hit tour of RENT has been in Toronto for almost two weeks now, thrilling audiences and delighting long-term fans of the Tony Award Winning musical.  The "Broadway Tour" with Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal reprising the roles they first played on Broadway over thirteen years ago, comes to an end in just two weeks.  After the final Toronto performance on Sunday January 24th the tour heads to Madison, WI from January 26th - 31st and then has its final week of performances in Sacramento, CA February 3rd - 7th.  February 7th will mark the official closing of the tour.

RENT has been a long-time supporter for BC/EFA (Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS) and has had many successful auctions in the past to raise money for the cause.  It was decided that the final auction should take place in Toronto on January 23rd, 2010.  This was the last chance to get a special piece of RENT memorabilia as the tour has confirmed there will be no further auctions.

The auction took place following the 8PM show at The Canon Theatre, with Anthony Rapp addressing the audience and explaining to them the importance of both Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Actor's Fund.  It was a packed house, and one of the most enthusiastic crowds I have seen at RENT in a long time. 

It was a very special night, with BC/EFA inserts in all the Playbills announcing that Michael Baldwin was joining the company for one night.  Michael bid on a walk-on role and meet and greet with the cast during a performance in Rochester, NY.  His generous donation went towards BC/EFA, and he was able to join the cast on stage and help encourage people to donate one more time.  The cast auctioned off a very special pair of Angel's "Christmas Shoes" worn by Justin Johnston during the final Broadway performance (which was filmed and released on DVD).  The winning bidder would also be treated to a meet and greet with the cast and backstage tour with photo opportunities.  A small bidding war ensued, and the shoes went for $2300. 

In addition, various members of the cast were in the lobby in full costume after the show selling signed Playbills and Window Cards and collecting donations.  In total, the cast raised $12,288.76 on Saturday night.  That included the money from Angel's shoes, as well as 42 signed posters for $100 each and 150 signed Playbills at $20 each.  Over the course of the tour, the RENT company has collected over $606,000.00 for BC/EFA.

Overall it was a very successful evening that raised funds for a wonderful cause.  If you missed the tour, you have two more chances to see it before it closes for good.  The cast will be in Madison, WI from January 26th - 31st and in Sacramento, CA from February 3rd - 7th.

For more information please visit www.siteforrent.com

For more information on Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS please visit: www.broadwaycares.org

For more information on the Actor's Fund please visit: www.actorsfund.ca

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