Every year, teddies bear-ing the likenesses of Broadway characters are auctioned off to the highest bidder to raise funds for the charity. Often, the bears are signed by the actors who originated the roles. Here is a look at the first batch of Broadway Bears, with more to follow leading up to the auction on Feb. 17.
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Below: Moritz from Spring Awakening, signed by John Gallagher, Jr.; Elphaba from Wicked and Maureen from Rent, both signed by Idina Menzel.