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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Rum-Tum-Tugger from Cats
Original Costume Designer: John Napier
Bear Costume Designer: Noel Noblitt at Parsons-Meares, Ltd. with the assistance of: Margaret Peot (painting), Adele Recklies (knitting), Joe Stephen (spiked collar), and Paul Huntley (wig)
Signed by Liz Calloway
"The Rum-Tum-Tugger is a curious cat," according to T.S. Eliot —and his bear counterpart tells us he's also a fabulous cat. Crafted from materials used on the original Broadway production, our Tugger wears a skin-tight milliskin unitard, silk-crepe leg scarf, matching tufted tail, and spandex gloves— all exactingly hand-painted. His black spandex vest features silver chains, and a huge yak-hair collar edged in monofilament fringe. His accessories include faux leopard-fur boots, two pairs of hand-knit leg warmers, a black leather belt covered with hundreds of tiny hand-set silver studs, and a spiked leather collar complete with "T" medallion. The look is finished off by feline makeup and a genuine Tugger wig (altered to fit, of course). "There's no doing anything about it"— "now and forever" he should be yours!