Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary, who hosted the first Gypsy of the Year Competition, will also be part of the competition, which benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The afternoon events also feature Gypsy of the Year favorites Jen Cody and Don Richard, reprising their comical turns as Little Sally and Officer Lockstock. The cast of [title of show] — Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Heidi Blickenstaff and Susan Blackwell — will make a special appearance when they present the show's final number.
In a statement Tom Viola, executive director of BC/EFA said, "I'm thrilled that Tyne and Jonathan will be back to help us mark the 20th Anniversary of The Gypsy of the Year Competition with Broadway's own Seth Rudetsky joining us as this year's host. Tyne and Jonathan have always been great friends to BC/EFA, but to have them return 20 years later and see how much the event has grown will be a very special moment. I offer our deepest appreciation not only to Tyne, Jonathan, and Seth, but to the thousands of people in the Broadway community and theatres across the country who have over the last 20 years helped BC/EFA reach out to so many facing the on-going challenges of HIV/AIDS and other serious health issues."
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 in $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.
This year saw the return of "Team Raiser," an online fundraising method introduced last year that allows theatre fans to make donations to BC/EFA via the Broadway Cares website.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grants making organization. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes and other critical illnesses across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $150 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses.
VIP and Priority tickets ($350 and $200) and other tickets ($110/$40/$20) can be purchased online at www.BroadwayCares.org, in person at BC/EFA (165 West 46th Street, Suite 1300), by phone at (212) 840-0770, or at the door the day of the event.
The New Amsterdam is located in Manhattan at 214 West 42nd Street.
