Jose Llana from the original cast of Spelling BeePhoto by Mark Rupp
BROADWAY BEARS RAISES $127,000 for Broadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDS!
Broadway lovers and teddy bear collectors came together on Sunday, February 7, at the BROADWAY BEARS XI auction, which raised a grand total of $127,000! The event was hosted by Bryan Batt with Lorna Kelly reprising her role as auctioneer. Forty specially made BROADWAY BEARS - each dressed in original, handmade costumes representing the theater’s most legendary characters - were auctioned to the highest bidder in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. To date The Broadway Bears have raised almost $1.5 million to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Last year’s BROADWAY BEARS raised $130,878.
Top bids for bears were the $17,000 SPAMALOT bear, signed by Clay Aiken and David Hyde Pierce, the $9,000 THE LION KING Pumba bear, signed by Tom Alan Robbins , the $8,000 CYRANO DE BERGERAC bear, signed by Jennifer Garner, Kevin Kline, and Daniel Sunjata, the $5,000 THE LITTLE MERMAID bear signed by Sherie Rene Scott, the $5,000 WICKED bear signed by Idina Menzel, the $4,200 THE LION KING Nala bear signed by Heather Headley, and the $4,000 YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN bear signed by Shuler Hensley and Mel Brooks.
Several Broadway stars dropped by to lend their support to the event including Gavin Lee, Linda Balgord, Stephanie J. Block, Sebastian Arcelus, Jose Llana, Sarah Gettelfinger, Bill Ryall, Peter Gregus, Jennifer Smith, Christine Pedi who along with John Tracy Egan performed the opening number for the event.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since it’s founding in 1988, BC/EFA has distributed over $130 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV and other related illnesses.
The Broadway Bears XI is sponsored by
The New York Times, Continental Airlines, and North American Bear Co., Inc.
For more information, please visit the BC/EFA website at http://www.broadwaycares.org/
