Photo Coverage: Original Cast of THE WIZ, THE RIVER's Hugh Jackman, Stars of HEDWIG & More Perform in BC/EFA's GYPSY OF THE YEAR
By: Kevin Thomas Garcia Dec. 10, 2014
The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 9, 2014, by special guests Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Light after two stellar performances of original dances, songs and skits by more than 200 "gypsies" from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Scroll down for photos from the event!
A standing-room-only audience at the New Amsterdam Theatre, home to Disney's Aladdin, erupted with cheers and applause as Jackman, Lane and Light also presented awards to the top fundraising companies and for the best performances in this year's show.
This year's top overall fundraiser was The River, which stars Jackman and raised $549,725. For the first time in history, the top two fundraising plays -- The River and It's Only a Play -- raised more than $1 million. The company of The Lion King took honors for the best onstage presentation for an emotional, socially charged dance, created by Ray Mercer. For the full standings, click here.
The show's spirited opening number celebrated the 40th anniversary of The Wiz, one of the first large-scale, big-budget Broadway musicals to feature an all-black cast and winner of seven Tony Awards in 1975.
Noted Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky ("Seth's Big Fat Broadway" on Sirius/XM Radio), served as host for his seventh consecutive Gypsy of the Year. Rudetsky welcomed a special appearance by James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin), who performed an impressive freestyle rap based on a random topic yelled out by audience members.
In addition to Pippin, four shows playing their final Broadway performances in January joined the festivities for one last time -- Once, Rock of Ages, Cinderella and Motown. This year's Gypsy of the Year also featured the casts of Mamma Mia!, Avenue Q, Aladdin, Kinky Boots, Chicago and Wicked. Gypsy of the Year also featured special numbers recognizing national touring productions and the volunteers who help fundraise during Gypsy of the Year.
Celebrity presenters included Lena Hall and Michael C. Hall, who are currently starring in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Kevin Duda, Anika Larsen and Jarrod Spector from Beautiful - The Carole King Musical.
The esteemed panel of judges that selected the best presentation award winners was introduced by Lane and Matthew Broderick, who are starring together in the hit comedy It's Only a Play. The judges were Julie Halston (You Can't Take It With You), Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed (Aladdin), Alex Sharp (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), Micah Stock (It's Only a Play), Jujamcyn Theaters Executive Vice President and BC/EFA Board of Trustees President Paul Libin and original Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS staffer Yvonne Ghareeb, who is retiring in January after 26 years with the organization. Also joining the panel are Lee Perlman and Peg Wendlandt, who won their judging spots by being high bidders on exclusive VIP packages at the 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction in September.
This year's show was directed by Kristin Newhouse with Jason Trubitt serving as production stage manager, leading a team of nine expert stage managers, and Ben Cohn as music supervisor, leading a 15-piece live orchestra. Lighting design was by Michael Jones and sound by Marie Renee Foucher.
Photo Credit: Kevin Thomas Garcia
Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane, Judith Light and the company of Gypsy of the Year
Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane, Judith Light and the company of Gypsy of the Year
Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Light
Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane
Michael C. Hall, Seth Rudetsky and Lena Hall
Kevin Duda, Anika Larson and Jarrod Spector
James Monroe Iglehart and Seth Rudetsky
Charl Brown, Andre De Sheilds and Cast
Opening Number
The Wiz
The Wiz
Pippin
Pippin
The cast of Pippin
Pippin
The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King
Kinky Boots
Kinky Boots
Wicked
Chicago
Frankie J. Grande and Rock of Ages
Frankie J. Grande and Rock of Ages
The National Tours
Motown
Once
Avenue Q
The Bucket Brigade
Love Letters
Cinderella
Mamma Mia
Mamma Mia
Aladdin
Aladdin
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