B.B. King Blues Hosts 13th Annual Broadway Bears Auction, Feb. 14

Broadway's cuddliest friends kick off a new year with the 13th annual BROADWAY BEARS auction on Sunday, February 14, 2010 at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Sure to out-do last year's collection, 43 one-of-a-kind BROADWAY BEARS - each dressed in original, handmade costumes representing some of the theater's most legendary performers and/or performances - will be put up for auction.

This year's BROADWAY BEARS will be hosted by John Bolton (Curtains, Monty Python's Spamalot) with long-time Sotheby's auctioneer, Lorna Kelly presiding over the evening.

This year's BROADWAY BEARS auction celebrates its 13th year with a stellar cast of cele"bear"ties representing recent Broadway hits like 9 to 5 (signed by Dolly Parton), 33 Variations (signed by Jane Fonda and Zach Grenier), A Little Night Music (signed by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Stephen Sondheim), A Steady Rain (signed by Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman), Billy Elliot (signed by Haydn Gwynne, Stephen Daldry, and Sir Elton John), Destry Rides Again (signed by Andy Griffith), Exit The King (signed by Geoffrey Rush, Susan Sarandon, Lauren Ambrose, AndRea Martin, Brian Hutchison and William Sadler), Hair (signed by Will Swenson, Gavin Creel and Michael McDonald), Liza's at the Palace (signed by Liza Minnelli), M. Butterfly (signed by B.D. Wong and John Lithgow), Rent (signed by Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp), Rock of Ages (signed by Constantine Maroulis), Victor/Victoria (signed by Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards), Wishful Drinking (signed by Carrie Fisher), Xanadu (signed by Cheyenne Jackson), Young Frankenstein (signed by Mel Brooks and Christopher Fitzgerald).

North American Bear Co., Inc. has again graciously donated the "bare" bears which were then handed over to top Broadway design teams who meticulously research, design, fit, sculpt, shoe, armor, hat, paint, dress, nip, tuck, tattoo, bejewel and feather the "bare" bears into true one-of-a-kind works of costumed theatrical art.

The entire Broadway Bears XIII collection can be previewed online at www.BroadwayCares.org.

VIP Tickets $150 each include an exclusive private preview of the Broadway Bears along with a cocktail, hors d'oeuvres and dessert reception from 6PM to 8PM as well as reserved priority seating for the Auction. General Admission Tickets $35 each which include a cocktail and dessert reception and display of the Broadway Bears from 7PM to 8PM as well as unreserved seating for the Auction.

Reservations may be made by calling BC/EFA at (212) 840-0770. For those who cannot make it to the auction, but want to take part in all the excitement, live telephone bidding will also be available as are pre-registered fixed bids by calling (212) 840-0770, extension 268. Internet bidding is available by visiting www.BroadwayCares.org.

BROADWAY CARES / EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-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 $170 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, The Dancers' Resource and three supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards annual grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide. For more information visit: www.BroadwayCares.org

THE BROADWAY BEARS XIII is sponsored by, The New York Times, Continental Airlines, North American Bear Co., Inc

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