Photo Coverage: GYPSY OF THE YEAR Sneak Peek!

As previously announced, the opening number featured the legendary Carol Channing performing some of her most beloved songs. The number was staged by choreographers Melissa Rae Mahon and Sean McKnight with musical direction by Ben Cohn, special lyrics by Rob Krausz and costumes by Brian Hemesath.

This year's judges include Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley (Next to Normal); Alison Fraser (The Divine Sister); Boyd Gaines (Driving Miss Daisy); Bebe Neuwirth (The Addams Family); Eve Plumb (Miss Abigail's Guide...); Patricia White (President, Local 764 - Theatrical Wardrobe Union); and Nick Wyman (President of Actors' Equity).

This year's celebrity presenters include Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (A Little Night Music), Cherry Jones (Mrs. Warren's Profession), T.R. Knight (A Life in the Theatre), Judith Light (Lombardi), Bernadette Peters (A Little Night Music), David Hyde Pierce (La Bête), Billy Porter (Angels in America), Colin Quinn (Colin Quinn Long Story Short) and Elizabeth Stanley (Million Dollar Quartet).

Presenting shows include: The Addams Family; Billy Elliot; Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; Chicago; Fela; In The Heights; the national tour of Jersey Boys; La Cage aux Folles; The Lion King; Mamma Mia; Mary Poppins; the national tour of Mary Poppins; My Big Gay Italian Wedding; Promises, Promises; Rock of Ages; Wicked; and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is the culmination of six weeks of fundraising when shows on and Off-Broadway engage in a friendly competition to see which show can raise the most money for the organization. Awards are presented to the companies that raise the most money and for the winning presentation.

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 over $195 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

BC/EFA also 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, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic and more.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski