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.
*
Mufasa from The Lion King
Original Costume Designer: Julie Taymor
Bear Costume Designer: Sonya Wysocki, Sue Mclaughlin, April Fernandez-Taylor and Bill Hubner with the assistance of: Chris Clark, Jack Curtin; as well as José Gutierrez and Mary Macy of Parsons Meares, Ltd.
Signed by Samuel E. Wright
Like the majestic creation he replicates, Mufasa Bear is a wonder of imagination and craftsmanship. Using authentic materials from the original production, his raw fiberglass-cast mask has been hand-painted with the emblematic lion. Like the original, the 3-tiered mane has been crafted from bass wood and stained with the colors used on Broadway. Burnt peacock feathers complete the piece (look for the iridescence!). The color and design of the fabric for Mufasa's costume identically match the original hand-painted fabric (on a smaller scale, of course); and his collar has been re-created with leather and twine burnished with gold and bronze rubbings. Mufasa's wig is fashioned from the hand-colored braid used in the show, and his forehead is adorned with beads. As for his face, note the Masai warrior mud effect, painted in acrylics and recreating the make-up design from the original "make-up fitting." His corset consists of a painted muslin base onto which jute twine was basket-woven and hand-stitched. To simulate the metal beading on the actual Mufasa corset, miniature brass and copper-toned sculptural chain has been sewn along the bottom border. And beneath it all, he also wears a hand-painted leotard. Like "the circle of life," this astonishing replica, too, shows us, "There is far too much to take in here - more to find than can ever be found"!
