BC/EFA's Gypsy of the Year Will Take Place on December 5 & 6, 2016

Six weeks of dedicated fundraising begins today and will culminate in a spectacular showcase of Broadway's brightest talents when the 28th Annual Gypsy of the Year competition takes the stage Monday, December 5 (4:30 pm) andTuesday, December 6 (2 pm), produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

For two unforgettable afternoons at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street, New York City), Gypsy of the Year (#gypsyoftheyear) will celebrate the talented singers and dancers in the ensembles of shows, historically known as "gypsies." More than 200 gypsies and special guests will perform original skits, songs and dances, with awards presented to the best presentation and for the top fundraisers from the preceding six weeks.

Casts, crews and volunteers at Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring productions around the country will stand at theatre exits to accept donations with Broadway Cares' iconic red buckets in hand. Theatre enthusiasts on both sides of the bucket will have the opportunity to raise money for the most vulnerable among us, helping provide lifesaving medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance. In addition to priceless face time with cast members while they are collecting, audiences will have the opportunity to purchase autographed memorabilia and exclusive experiences in exchange for a donations at many of the shows.

Nine Broadway shows are set to begin their appeals tonight: The Book of Mormon, The Color Purple, The Humans,The Lion King, Matilda The Musical, Oh, Hello on Broadway, Paramour, The Phantom of the Opera and School of Rock - The Musical, plus Off-Broadway's Stuffed. Scheduled to join the fundraising next week are Broadway's Aladdin,Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, Fiddler on the Roof, Hamilton, Holiday Inn, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots andWaitress, plus Off-Broadway's Othello: The Remix. More shows will be added throughout the six-week campaign. Last year, 54 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national tours raised $4.8 million.

Host of SiriusXM Satellite Radio's "On Broadway" channel Seth Rudetsky, Broadway's biggest buff and longtime friend of Broadway Cares, will return to host the shows at the New Amsterdam, home to Disney's smash hit Aladdin.

Since 1989, the 27 editions of Gypsy of the Year have raised more than $67.2 million to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Advance tickets to Gypsy of the Year can now be purchased online at broadwaycares.org or by calling 212.840.0770, ext. 229. VIP and Priority tickets are $375 and $250, respectively, and other tickets are available at $130, $50 and $30.

Gypsy of the Year is sponsored by The New York Times and United Airlines.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $285 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS 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. Broadway Cares also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states.

For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at broadwaycares.org, at facebook.com/BCEFA, atinstagram.com/BCEFA, at twitter.com/BCEFA and at youtube.com/BCEFA.