Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will hold their annual "Broadway Bears" charity event at 7 PM Feb. 15 at the Hudson Theatre (145 W. 44th St. In Manhattan). As usual, the auction will feature dozens of stuffed bears, each decked out in the fashion of a particular theatre production or personality, and signed by the artist the bear resembles. In the weeks leading up to the auction, Playbill On-Line will feature a different Broadway Bear each day. For information on the auction, call (212) 840 0770, ext. 268.
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"King Herod," from Jesus Christ Superstar
Original Costume Designer: Randy Barcelo (Tony Award Nominee)
Bear Costume Designer: Costume Armour, Inc., with the assistance of Therese J. Stadelmeier
Signed by Paul Ainsley
While it had its inception as a concept album, Jesus Christ Superstar evolved into a 2-act rock opera that effectively launched the careers of a youthful Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. The production was noted for its flamboyance -- and one look at King "Bearod" should tell you why. The cynical monarch who dared Jesus to "walk across my swimming pool" wears a belted tunic of cream crepe under a quilted cream-and-gold, heavy faille "crotch plate" and a short crepe cape attached to beige armbands. On his feet, gold cord and clear lucite platform sandals (a/k/a cothurni). On his head, an extraordinary gold vacuformed kydex helmet covered in gold leather, and finished with 9 ruby-rhinestone-eyed gold kydex snakes and 3 long, face-framing strands of gold beads. "What's the buzz?" "Bearod" (signed by his Broadway originator) is on the auction block!!