20th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition Sets Dates
By Andrew Gans
and Robert Viagas
26 Sep 2008
The 20th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition — benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS — will be held on Dec. 8 and 9 at a theatre to be announced.
The annual competition comes after 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 are presented in two categories: for best skit and for most money raised for BC/EFA. Last season, the competition set a new record, bringing $3,927,110 despite the 19-day stagehands strike that virtually blacked out the peak of the charity's fundraising season.
Jersey Boys (Sherry Company) earned the top fundraising honor, raking in $327,404. Runners-up were the Chicago company of Jersey Boys, which raised $293,673 and the Los Angeles company of Wicked, which gathered $204,062.
The top earner on Broadway was Wicked, which took in $208,406. Runners-up were Legally Blonde with $171,058, and Mary Poppins with $120,889. The Ritz was the top-earning non-musical with $139,514. Altar Boyz raised the most of any Off-Broadway show — no final figure was reported.
Among skits, songs and dances, the company of The Color Purple impressed the judges with an interpretative dance about seeking relief from the pressures of the world, winning the coveted Gypsy of the Year award for best stage
presentation. The Ritz and a combined company of Xanadu and Stomp tied for runners-up.
Tickets for this year's event will be available shortly by calling (212) 840-0770. For further information visit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on the web at http://www.bcefa.org.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization.
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