The outdoor fundraiser in Shubert Alley raises money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and features a host of theatrical memorabilia donated by the theatrical community. The day-long event (10 AM-7 PM) also boasts a Celebrity Table, where theatre fans can purchase autographs by, or photos with, their favorite stars from Broadway, Off-Broadway and television serials.
As of press time, those scheduled to take part in the Celebrity Table include the following talents:
11 AM-12 noon: Scott Bailey, Laura Benanti, Mandy Bruno, Kathleen Chalfant, Veanne Cox, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Ayesha Dharker, Tovah Feldshuh, Sriram Ganesan, John Hillner, Dee Hoty, Joe Machota, Manu Narayan, Carole Shelley and Larry Storch
12 noon-1 PM: Mark Collier, John Epperson, David Edler, Lesley Gore, Katherine Helmond, Tom Hewitt, Carole Kane, Jeremy Kushnier, Michael McKean, Alfred Molina, Burke Moses, Bebe Neuwirth, Brad Oscar, Anika Noni Rose and Peter Scolari and John Tartaglia
1-2 PM: Kristen Alderson, Michael Arden, Gary Beach, John Driscoll, Marj Dusay, David Garrison, Jenna Leigh Green, Joe Grifasi, John Hill, Kaitlin Hopkins, Tonya Pinkins, Pam Myers, Roger Rees, Alice Ripley and Bree Williamson 2-3 PM: Kathy Brier, Charles Busch, Melissa Gallo, Dan Gauthier, Anita Gillette, Dana Ivey, Dick Latessa, Nathaniel Marston, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Tony Roberts, Marian Seldes, Christopher Sieber and Nick Wyman
3-4 PM: Stephanie J. Block, Jeff Branson, Mario Cantone, Bailey Chase, Matt Cavenaugh, Cy Coleman, T. Scott Cunningham, Bobbie Eakes, Christine Ebersole, Beth Fowler, Elizabeth Hendrickson, Isabel Keating, Eden Riegel and Jay Wilkison
The well-attended event also includes a Silent Auction and a Grand Auction (at 4:30 PM), where "unique and priceless items" are auctioned to the highest bidder. For a complete list of this year's Grand Auction items — including a chance to conduct The Phantom of the Opera; a dinner with playwright Wendy Wasserstein; an onstage appearance in Mamma Mia!, The Producers or Rent; tickets to the opening night and cast party of Laugh Whore, Brooklyn, 12 Angry Men, Gem of the Ocean, 'night, Mother, Democracy, La Cage aux Folles or Pacific Overtures; a day at the Tony Awards; and much more — visit the Broadway Cares website at www.bcefa.org or call (212) 840 0770.
Last year's auction raised $512,000 for BC/EFA. A walk-on in the recent NBC series "Friends" brought in the highest bid during that afternoon's Grand Auction: $30,000. The table that earned the most for the charitable organization was run by the United Scenic Designers ($13,000), and the show that collected the highest amount was the Bernadette Peters revival of Gypsy ($10,000).
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation’s largest industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization. Since its founding in 1988 the organization has distributed over $85 million for services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses.
