Original GREASE Cast to Reunite at 2011 GYPSY OF THE YEAR; Set for 12/5-6

The original Broadway cast of Grease will reunite next month for a special 40-year anniversary tribute during the opening number of the 23rd Annual Gypsy of the Year, produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Gypsy of the Year will be held at 4:30 PM on Monday, December 5 and at 2 PM on Tuesday, December 6 at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street).

The rollicking opening number for Gypsy of the Year will feature the original cast of Grease, which opened in Chicago in 1971 before arriving in New York. Among the stars returning to the stage from one of the most popular musicals in Broadway history are Barry Bostwick (Danny), Carole Demas (Sandy), Adrienne Barbeau (Betty Rizzo), Alan Paul (Teen Angel/Johnny Casino) and Walter Bobbie (Roger).

Also joining the opening number reunion are original cast members Don Billett (Vince Fontaine), James Canning (Doody), Daniel Douglas (Burger Palace Boy), Katie Hanley (Marty), Tom Harris (Eugene), Ilene Kristen (Patty Simcox), Joy Rinaldi (Pink Lady) and Mews Small (Frenchy).

Grease, with book, music, and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, debuted on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre, garnered seven Tony Award nominations and played 3,388 Broadway performances before closing April 13, 1980.

This year's Gypsy of the Year will again be hosted by Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky, host of "Seth's Big Fat Broadway" on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio.

The all-singing, all-dancing Gypsy of the Year is easily the biggest party in town with appearances by dozens of Broadway and Off-Broadway's most popular shows and performers.

Gypsy of the Year is the culmination of six weeks of intensive fundraising by Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. It's also a sensational display of the most talented singers and dancers in the ensemble of shows, known as "gypsies." Awards are presented to the top fundraisers and for the best presentation during the two performances.

Additional performers, presenters and judges will be announced soon.

Last year, Gypsy of the Year raised $3,776,720, pushing the competition's 22-year total to $44,136,720.

Advance tickets to Gypsy of the Year can be purchased online at broadwaycares.org or by calling 212.840.0770, ext. 268. VIP and Priority tickets are $350 and $200, respectively, and other tickets are available at $110, $40 and $20.

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 $195 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
BC/EFA awards annual grants to more than 400 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic.

For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at broadwaycares.org.