Tom Viola News

A special once-in-a-lifetime four day VIP package to the upcoming 'LES MISERABLES - The Ultimate Concert Spectacular' at the Hollywood Bowl that includes round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, gala cast party tickets and a rare opportunity to experience the show on both sides of the curtain is currently up for bids on EBay with proceeds from the auction to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS.

A special once-in-a-lifetime four day VIP package to the upcoming 'LES MISERABLES - The Ultimate Concert Spectacular' at the Hollywood Bowl that includes round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, gala cast party tickets and a rare opportunity to experience the show on both sides of the curtain is currently up for bids on EBay with proceeds from the auction to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS.

Nominations in 26 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing's 62nd Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were announced today by Tony Award Winners Sara Ramirez and David Hyde Pierce at the Tony Award Nominations Announcement sponsored by IBM. The nominees were selected by an independent committee of 23 theatre professionals appointed by the Tony Awards Administration Committee. The 2008 Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

World renowned South African political cabaret artist and OBIE Award winner Pieter-Dirk Uys returns to NYC with his latest attack on political outrage, 'Elections or Erections: a chronicle of Fear and Fun'. The event, which promises to underline the 'mock' in democracy, is being presented by Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS and La Mama e.t.c. for three performances on May 5,6 and 7 at La Mama's Annex Theatre (74A East 4th Street, NYC).

On Monday, March 31, 2008, Broadway belter Sherie Rene Scott, currently starring as the notorious eight-armed sea-witch Ursula in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid,' will concoct an experiment in truth-telling in her new and original one-woman show 'You May Now Worship Me.' The one-night-only concert at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative.

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS is proud to present a special performance of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL, a new musical with music by Tony Award® winner Cy Coleman, lyrics by Tony Award® winner David Zippel, book by Tony® & Pulitzer Award winner Wendy Wasserstein and directed by Tony Award® nominee Graciela Daniele, on Sunday, May 18 at 3 PM at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) with a reception at Sardi's immediately following. Proceeds will benefit BC/EFA and Theatre Development Fund's Open Doors Program, which Wasserstein founded.

On Sunday, March 2nd, 2008 stars from ABC's 'All My Children,' 'One Life to Live,' 'General Hospital' and 'The View' performed at the 4th Annual ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS at Town Hall in New York City. The annual event raised $300,000 bringing the cumulative total to over one million dollars since the shows inception in 2005

The legendary Chita Rivera performed two sold-out shows Monday, January 14 at the legendary Birdland to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Givenik.com, the revolutionary new way to go to Broadway has initiated a special holiday push to support the efforts of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA)

The 19th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced a total of $3,927,000 had been raised by the over 64 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This beats the previous record of $3,420,000 set in 2004.

Below is a statement from Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. The 19th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition will be held Monday, December 17 and Tuesday, December 18 at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

In response to the work stoppage currently effecting Broadway theatres, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, which was in the middle of its annual Gypsy of The Year fundraising when the stoppage took effect, announces 'Team-Raiser,' an internet-based way to continue fundraising for the 19th Annual Gypsy of The Year Competition.

As part of BroadwayWorld.com's expanding Strike Coverage, we checked in with Tom Viola, Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and how the Local One stagehands' strike is affecting their acclaimed non-profit organization.

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS presented renowned actor Corin Redgrave in Tynan, based on the diaries of the influential and often controversial English theatre critic and writer Kenneth Tynan, for one performance only on Monday, October 22 at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street at Astor Place). The performance benefited Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS and The Actors' Fund.

The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced today the Nominating Committee for the 2007-2008 Broadway season

Tony Award winning actress/singer Betty Buckley joins world renowned pianist and long time collaborator Kenny Werner on Tuesday, July 17th through Sunday, July 22nd for a week of lively cabaret at NYC's Blue Note Jazz Club

Dozens of Broadway stars joined Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore for 'Broadway Barks 9!' on Saturday, July 14th in Shubert Alley, and BroadwayWorld was there!

The 2006-07 Drama League Awards were presented at the 73rd Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 11, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square, and BroadwayWorld was there!

In November, Kristin Huffman made her Broadway debut as Sarah (flute, piccolo and sax) in John Doyle's production of Company. The actress continues her collection of stories about a 15-year career that has led her to the door of the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

Tom Viola of Broadway Cares and cast members from 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live' presided over the NASDAQ opening bell in Times Square (43rd and Broadway) on February 22nd, at 9:20 AM.