Broadway Cares/Equity Fights will hold their annual "Broadway Bears" charity event at 7 PM Feb. 15 at the Hudson Theatre (145 W. 44th St. In Manhattan). As usual, the auction will feature dozens of stuffed bears, each decked out in the fashion of a particular theatre production or personality, and signed by the artist the bear resembles. In the weeks leading up to the auction, Playbill On-Line will feature a different Broadway Bear each day. For information on the auction, call (212) 840 0770, ext. 268.
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Billy Bigelow, from Carousel (photo not available)
Original Costume Designer: Miles White
Bear Costume Designer: Rick Kelly
Signed by John Raitt and Miles White
"What's the use of won'drin'?" There's no need to. We can tell you, John Raitt's "bear-rel" chest has been recreated, along with his original costume, through much photo research -- but it was a rare John Raitt LP album cover that provided the color scheme to help replicate his inventive carousel barker's costume. The plaid on Mr. Raitt's wool pants was originally created with ribbon and so was that of his counterpart. It was Billy's (or more likely Mr. White's) bold choice to wear a floral embroidered vest and a bravado red scarf tied around his neck. This bear is clearly ready to be your "boy, Bill!"
