Original Rent star Anthony Rapp hosts the evening, which benefits the Ali Forney Center. Contestants will compete for the crown through talent, interview and swimsuit competitions. Those competing for the title are Tommy Berklund (Mr. A Chorus Line), Austin Eyer (Mr. Curtains), Joe Komara (Mr. Grease), Daniel Robinson (Mr. Hairspray) and Marty Thomas (Mr. Xanadu). Michael Riedel of the New York Post will present the winner with his crown.
"The contestants," according to a press release, "will go head to head in front of a panel of celebrity judges, but ultimately, the final vote is in the audience's hands." Celebrity judges include The Ritz's Seth Rudetsky and [title of show]'s Hunter Bell and Susan Blackwell.
Jeffery Self wrote and conceived The Broadway Beauty Pageant, which features direction by Ryan J. Davis and musical direction by Eric Svejcar. Producers are Ryan J. Davis and Jeffrey Self in association with Tim Hur.
Frankie James Grande was named Mr. Broadway at the premiere event in 2007.
New World Stages is located in Manhattan at 340 West 50th Street. Tickets, priced $50, $150, $250-$1,000 (VIP seats), are available by visiting www.telecharge.com. For more information go to www.aliforneycenter.org.
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The Ali Forney Center (AFC) was started in June 2002 in response to the lack of safe shelter for LGBT youth in New York City. They are committed to "providing LGBT youth with safe, dignified, nurturing environments where their needs can be met and where they can begin to put their lives back together."
