December 10, 2014
BC/EFA's 'Gypsy of the Year" Raises Record Breaking $5 Million Plus
EDGE READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The 26th annual edition of "Gypsy of the Year" raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies.
The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 9, 2014, by special guests Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Light after two stellar performances of original dances, songs and skits by more than 200 "gypsies" from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
Since 1989, the 26 editions of "Gypsy of the Year" have raised $62.4 million to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The previous record high for Gypsy of the Year fundraising was $4,895,253 set in 2011.
This year's top overall fundraiser was "The River," which stars Hugh Jackman and raised $549,725. For the first time in history, the top two fundraising plays - "The River" and "It's Only a Play" - raised more than $1 million.
"Gypsy of the Year," which was presented this year on December 8 and 9, is an opportunity for the theatre community to celebrate their fundraising efforts and gather for the competitive variety show.
The show's spirited opening number celebrated the 40th anniversary of "The Wiz," one of the first large-scale, big-budget Broadway musicals to feature an all-black cast and winner of seven Tony Awards in 1975.
Triumphantly returning to the yellow brick road, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Andr� De Shields and Ken Page were met with rapturous applause from the energized audience. The opening number was directed by T. Oliver Reid and choreographed by Brian Harlan Brooks, assisted by Torya Beard, with music direction and arrangements by Ben Cohn.
In a fitting tribute to the groundbreaking show, White and her cast mates returned to close Gypsy of the Year with a powerhouse rendition of "Home," the finale from "The Wiz."
Noted Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky ("Seth's Big Fat Broadway" on Sirius/XM Radio), served as host for his seventh consecutive "Gypsy of the Year."
The esteemed panel of judges that selected the best presentation award winners was introduced by Lane and Matthew Broderick.
The judges were Julie Halston ("You Can't Take It With You"), Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed ("Aladdin"), Alex Sharp ("The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time)", Micah Stock ("It's Only a Play"), Jujamcyn Theaters Executive Vice President and BC/EFA Board of Trustees President Paul Libin and original Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS staffer Yvonne Ghareeb, who is retiring in January after 26 years with the organization. Also joining the panel are Lee Perlman and Peg Wendlandt, who won their judging spots by being high bidders on exclusive VIP packages at the 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction in September.
Broadway Cares awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states and is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic.
