The annual event raised a whopping $3,359,000 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, besting last year's competition -- which brought in $2,623,825 -- by $735,175. The Palace Theatre was the home to the 15th annual competition, which followed six weeks of intensive fundraising by various shows on and off Broadway as well as touring productions throughout the country. It's a chance to celebrate the Broadway gypsies while raising funds for the worthy organization.

Awards were presented in two categories Dec. 9. Best skit honors went to Aida with Urinetown as first runner-up. The Boy From Oz -- starring Hugh Jackman -- raised the most money for BC/EFA, $633,000, an all-time high for one show. Other front-runners: Hairspray, $303,024; Phantom, $155,964; and Gypsy, $147,366.

Among this year's judges were Delta Burke, who is currently making her Broadway debut in Thoroughly Modern Millie; and Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez, now on the boards in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Anna in the Tropics.

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Hairspray and Rent raised the most for BC/EFA at the 14th annual Gypsy event, with Hairspray pulling in $375,607 and Jonathan Larson's Rent taking in $237,689. Presentation awards in 2002 went to Urinetown: The Musical (winner) and Les Misérables (first runner-up).

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization. For more information visit www.bcefa.org.