Rodriguez, Tartaglia and Sieber to Be Part of Broadway Bares 14

By Andrew Gans
June 9, 2004

"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"'s Jai Rodriguez, Avenue Q's John Tartaglia and Chicago's Chris Sieber will all make guest appearances at the upcoming fundraiser Broadway Bares 14: Now Showing.

The annual benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will be held on Sunday, June 20 at 9:30 PM and midnight at the Roseland Ballroom, 239 West 52nd Street. This year's production will "add a sexy spin to classic scenes inspired by such movies as 'Rocky,' 'Flashdance,' 'Singin' in the Rain' and the James Bond series."

Over 200 of Broadway's chorus guys and gals will be part of the annual event, including buffed bodies from Aida, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, 42nd Street, Gypsy, Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, Movin' Out, Rent, The Boy From Oz, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wicked . Executive produced by 2004 Tony nominee Jerry Mitchell, Broadway Bares 14 will feature direction by Jodi Moccia.

A little Bares history: Thirteen years ago, Mitchell, who once had to dance nearly naked on a drum in The Will Rogers Follies, found himself inspired to take it all off to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and Broadway Bares was born. The first year, he and seven other Will Rogers dancers raised $8,000 for the charitable organization. Last season's competition — hosted by Hairspray's Harvey Fierstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur — brought in over half a million dollars.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation’s largest industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization. Since its founding in 1988 the organization has distributed over $85 million for services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses.

Tickets, priced $50-$225, are available by calling (212) 840-0770, ext. 268. Visit www.broadwaycares.org for more information.