Broadway Cares/Equity Fights will hold their annual "Broadway Bears" charity event on Feb 11 at 8 PM 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. The bears are also being previewed on-line at www.BroadwayCares.org. For reservations call (212) 840-0770, ext. 268. For information on the auction, call (212) 840 0770, ext. 268.

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Che from Evita

Original Costume Designer: Tazeena Firth And Timothy O'Brien
Bear Costume Designer: Sherry Goshon
Signed by Mandy Patinkin

Part narrator, part Greek chorus ("…perhaps I'm more than a mere observer…"), the role of Evita's guerrilla-fighter, Ché, singled out Mandy Patinkin for stardom. Clad in his own unique version of a military uniform, our rough-hewn Ché Bear wears a multi-pocketed, army-green fatigue jacket over a tan t-shirt, and pleated pants with legs pegged-in at the ankle. His scruffy boots are actually painted on his feet! A faux-webbing belt circles his waist, and a black beret with gold star rests on his long unruly hair. His 5 o'clock shadow-of-a-beard finishes off the defiant, tough and intensive look that characterized the rebel who sang, "There is evil, ever around, fundamental … System of government quite incidental"! Always the realist and the idealist, it was also Ché who challenged Evita (and us) by asking, "How can you be so short-sighted …To have no impossible dream?" We hope you have many dreams (impossible or otherwise!) - and that you'll think of Ché Bear as a reminder to keep them alive!