Original Rent star Anthony Rapp hosted the evening, which benefited the Ali Forney Center; $15,000 was raised for the organization. Contestants competed for the crown through talent, interview and swimsuit competitions.
Those competing for the title also included Tommy Berklund (Mr. A Chorus Line), Austin Eyer (Mr. Curtains) and Joe Komara (Mr. Grease). Michael Riedel of the New York Post presented Thomas with his crown.
Celebrity judges included The Ritz's Seth Rudetsky and [title of show]'s Hunter Bell and Susan Blackwell.
Jeffery Self wrote and conceived The Broadway Beauty Pageant, which featured direction by Ryan J. Davis and musical direction by Eric Svejcar. Producers were Ryan J. Davis and Jeffrey Self in association with Tim Hur.
Frankie James Grande was named Mr. Broadway at the premiere event in 2007.
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The Ali Forney Center (AFC) was started in June 2002 in response to the lack of safe shelter for LGBT youth in New York City. They are committed to "providing LGBT youth with safe, dignified, nurturing environments where their needs can be met and where they can begin to put their lives back together." For more information go to www.aliforneycenter.org.
