In six weeks of post-show appeals from their respective stages, the shows raised a sum that was up sharply from last year's $2,149,744 and 2003's $1,826,392, and beat out the previous record, $2,275,659, raised in 2001.
The 17-year-old Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera showed it could still hit the high notes April 19, winning the grand prize at the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' 19th annual Easter Bonnet Competition by raising $209,615 for the fight against the deadly disease. The prize for best bonnet presentation went to Movin' Out, which performed the dance number "Voices of Wings" ending with Elizabeth Parkinson in a cap flanked by a pair of white wings.
The awards were presented at the New Amsterdam Theatre following two days of performances April 18 and 19.
Other awards:
