Daly and Hadary Return to Kick Off, Rudetsky Hosts 20th Anniv. 'Gypsy Of the Year'

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS is pleased to announce Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary, the hosts of the first GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, will return to help kick off the 20th Anniversary of the all-singing, all-dancing, all-dishing Broadway spectacular that has become the must see event for the New York theatrical community.

The 20TH ANNUAL GYPSY OF THE YEAR will be held Monday, December 8 at 4:30 PM and Tuesday, December 9 at 2 PM at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street) with Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky (The Ritz, host of Sirius Satellite Radio's "Seth's Big Fat Broadway") serving as host. Tickets for the event are on sale now.

Tom Viola, executive director of BC/EFA said, "I'm thrilled that Tyne and Jonathan will be back to help us mark the 20th Anniversary of THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION with Broadway's own Seth Rudetsky joining us as this year's host. Tyne and Jonathan have always been great friends to BC/EFA, but to have them return 20 years later and see how much the event has grown will be a very special moment. I offer our deepest appreciation not only to Tyne, Jonathan, and Seth, but to the thousands of people in the Broadway community and theatres across the country who have over the last 20 years helped BC/EFA reach out to so many facing the on-going challenges of HIV/AIDS and other serious health issues."

The first GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION was presented in 1989 at the St. James Theatre, which, at the time, was home to the just opened revival of Gypsy which starred future Tony Awardâ winner Tyne Daly as 'Rose' and Tony Award nominee Jonathan Hadary as 'Herbie.' Hadary hosted the event and Daly graciously agreed to welcome the audience at the top of the show to this brand new fundraising event for the then fledging BC/EFA.

An estimated 800 people showed up each putting $5 in a collection box at the door and took an unreserved seat for a show that consisted of 12 presentations by the Broadway and Off-Broadway shows that had been raising money for Broadway Cares.

At that first GYPSY OF THE YEAR, $64,000 was raised with 12 productions participating. Last year, over $3.5 million was raised with over 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring productions fundraising and 18 creating on-stage presentations. Since its inception, the 19 editions of GYPSY OF THE YEAR have raised over $32.5 million to benefit BC/EFA.

This year's GYPSY OF THE YEAR will feature on-stage presentations by 15 companies including: 13; August: Osage County; Equus; Grease; Gypsy; Hairspray; In The Heights; Mamma Mia!; Naked Boys Singing; Rock of Ages; Monty Python's Spamalot; South Pacific; The Lion King; The Little Mermaid and The Marvelous Wonderettes (with possibly more to come).

GYPSY OF THE YEAR favorites Jen Cody and Don Richard will return as 'Little Sally' and 'Officer Lockstock.' The cast of [title of show] Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Susan Blackwell will return to Broadway for a special appearance, presenting the show's final number.

The GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION has become one of the hottest and most anticipated tickets of the fall season where New York's most talented "gypsies," chorus members from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, join in a competition/variety show as six weeks of intensive fundraising to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) comes to a close. Awards are presented to the companies that raise the most money and for the winning presentation.

In addition, this year marks the return of "Team Raiser," an online fundraising method introduced last year that allows theatre fans to make donations to BC/EFA via the Broadway Cares website (www.BroadwayCares.org). "Team Raiser" allows theatre fans from across the globe to make donations to BC/EFA and be a part of the "Gypsy of the Year" festivities without having to go to the theatre.

In honor of the first anniversary of "Team Raiser," people who make donations via the venture can enter to win the following prizes:

* FOR EACH $25 DONATION: People can enter a raffle to win a collection of autographed Playbills from All My Sons (signed by John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Patrick Wilson, Katie Holmes, and the entire company), Equus (signed by Daniel Radcliffe, Richard Griffiths, and the entire cast), and Shrek (autographed by Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster, Christopher Sieber, Daniel Breaker, John Tartaglia and the entire Broadway company).
* FOR EACH $50 DONATION: People can enter a raffle to receive two roundtrip plane tickets to anywhere in the continental United States courtesy of Continental Airlines, the official airlines of BC/EFA.
* FOR EACH $100 DONATION: People are given the opportunity to enter a raffle to win a New York City weekend getaway. The winner will receive two round trip plane tickets from anywhere in the continental US to New York courtesy Continental Airlines, the official airlines of BC/EFA; a two night stay at a New York City hotel; and two VIP house seats to the show of their choice.

To make a donation via "Team Raiser" please visit www.BroadwayCares.org.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to be eligible for the raffles, donations via "Team Raiser" must be made between Monday, October 27 (12:01 AM) and Sunday, December 7 (11:59 PM). One winner will be chosen per price break. Raffle winners will be drawn on Wednesday, December 10. Certain restrictions apply.

TO BUY TICKETS TO GYPSY OF THE YEAR: VIP and Priority tickets ($350 and $200) and other tickets ($110/$40/$20) can be purchased online at www.BroadwayCares.org, in person at BC/EFA (165 West 46th Street, Suite 1300), by phone at (212) 840-0770, or at the door the day of the event.

TO DONATE VIA "TEAM RAISER" OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: visit www.BroadwayCares.org or call (212) 840-0770 ext. 268.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grants making organization. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes and other critical illnesses across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $150 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses.

BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors' Fund - including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic at The Aurora in NYC, The Dancers' Resource and two supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations yearly.

THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is sponsored by:
Continental Airlines, the official airline of BC/EFA,
The M•A•C AIDS Fund, and The New York Times

For more information, visit: www.BroadwayCares.org