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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Joanne from Company
Original Costume Designer: D.D. RYAN
Bear Costume Designer: DAVID KALEY with the assistance of: Robert Sorrell Originals (jewelry)
Signed by Elaine Stritch, Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince
"Phone rings, door chimes, in comes";"frantic/touching/tender/foolish/warm…" Joanne! It seems the original designs for this costume were changed before the show opened and no sketches or swatches exist for the dress she actually wore. Still, we do know what the costume looked like. (And of course, it didn't include a hat!) Here, blond-wigged Joanne's costume is a black wool/polyester-blend knit with a modern geometric design in appliquéd white-ribbon stripes. Her silver-plate and crystal jewelry (two bracelets, clip-on earrings and ring) is a meticulous copy of the jewelry originally worn in the show. With the exception of the ring, it is all removable —so you can accessorize yourself, too, on those days when you're meeting those "ladies who lunch." A toast to the invincible Joanne: "Everybody rise!"
