Photo Coverage: GYPSY OF THE YEAR 2008 - Backstage
By: Peter James Zielinski Dec. 10, 2008
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The 20th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced a total of $3,061,000 had been raised by the 63 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras had VIP access on all levels to bring you the most complete coverage of this very special event!
Since 1989, the 20 editions of GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION have raised a combined total of $35,730,000 to benefit BC/EFA. This year the Jersey Boys - Chicago raised the most money of any show this period with $220,000.
THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is the culmination of a period of intensive fundraising 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 by the community come to a close.
This year's GYPSY OF THE YEAR featured on-stage presentations by 15 companies including: 13, A New Musical; 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.
Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky (The Ritz, host of Sirius Satellite Radio's "Seth's Big Fat Broadway") served as this year's host. He was joined by Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary, the hosts of the first GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION that took place at the St. James Theatre on November 28, 1989.
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 MAC AIDS Fund, The New York Times
Photos by Peter James Zielinski
THE LITTLE MERMAID's Meredith Inglesby & Kay Trinidad
Anne Berkowitz and Jeff Still from August: Osage County
GYPSY OF THE YEAR Judges (in alphabetical order): Dr. Harold Brody, Paige Davis, Howard McGillin, Kate Mulgrew, Patrick Page, Peter Sarsgaard, Marion Duckworth Smith, and Kendall D. Ward
ROCK OF AGES' Mitchell Jarvis and Tad Wilson
GYPSY's Emma Zaks and Leigh Ann Larkin
THE LITTLE MERMAID Cast
GREASE's Kirsten Wyatt, Todd Buonopane, and Jamison Scott
LION KING ensemble dancers prep for their number
Allison Case and Meghann Dreyfuss
Traci Victoria, Allison Case, Meghann Dreyfuss, Frankie James Grande, and Chastity Neutze
Kristina Melike Clark and Charlie Brady
MAMMA MIA's Raymond Lee, Courtney Reed, and Pierce Bunting
MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT's current Sir Lancelot Rick Holmes and former Sir Bedevere Steve Rosen
The Cast of Rock of Ages
The Cast of South Pacific
Cast members from MAMMA MIA!
The cast of THE LION KING's award winning presentation
Jacquelyn Renae Hodges
[title of show]'s Michael Berresse, Larry Pressgrove, Hunter Bell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen, and Susan Blackwell
ROCK OF AGES' Lauren Molina and Mitchell Jarvis
Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Harvey Fierstein and Katrina Dideriksen
Many, many casts of HAIRSPRAY
Broadway Brother and Sister team, Ariana Grande and Frankie James Grande
Katrina Dideriksen, Harvey Fierstein, and Marissa Perry
The cast of the The Marvelous Wonderettes
Craig Laurie, Tom Viola, and Larry Baker
Larry Baker, Daniel Radcliffe, and Craig Laurie
Tyne Daly, Jonathan Hadary and Tony Yazbeck
The Daniel Radcliffe and the cast of EQUUS pose with their fundraising award
BC/EFA favorite Frank Conway with Daniel Radcliffe
Christine Baranski with Jersey Boys Chicago representative Craig Laurie
Wicked production members and Tom Viola
Seth Rudetsky and his favorite childhood reading material
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