Wednesday, December 06, 2006

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE AND PUT GYPSY OF THE YEAR OVER
THE THREE MILLION MARK

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE WITH THEIR HEARTS - A DUET OF GENEROUS ACTS CREATE A SURPRISE ENDING

At the end of Tuesday's 18th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR Competition, it was announced that an impressive $2,972,721 for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Unbeknownst to anyone, an unexpected third act of GYPSY OF THE YEAR 2006 was about to play out, with an even happier ending.

The series of fortuitous events started after the GYPSY OF THE YEAR curtain came down when, at the post-event party at Sardi’s, BC/EFA president Paul Libin generously sponsored by Playbill presented Tom Viola, BC/EFA executive director, with a $10,000 check from Jujamcyn Theaters as well as his own personal check for $5,000 which brought the grand total to $3,007,827.

Unaware of Libin’s donation the night before, the following day, Joe McGinnis, BC/EFA major donor and one of the producers of Spring Awakening, who had also been in the show’s audience, sent in a check for $7,200 – thinking he was jumping the event over the $3 million mark – but in fact bringing the day’s grant total to: $3,015,027!!!

Like they say, it ain't over 'til it's over. The proverbial "Fat Lady" was late on her cue for Tuesday's GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, but her song never sounded better.

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Posted by Broadway Cares at Wednesday, December 06, 2006 |

Friday, December 01, 2006

A WORLD AIDS DAY LESSON IN LOVE AND RESPECT

MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT, THESE ARE NOT YOUR MOTHERS' PSA's ... or ARE they??

(December 1, New York, NY)Launching tonight on World AIDS Day tonight on LOGO TV, fans of the series "Noah's Ark" will be the first to witness the launch of a series of public service announcements aimed at tackling the rise in HIV, crystal meth use, and unsafe sex among gay men with candid yet loving and honestly.



What sets this series of announcements apart from other campaigns aimed to raise awareness about the Crystal / HIV connection is in its casting. When asked about the change in messaging tactics, Dan Carlson, founder of the HIV Forum NYC said “Gay men have heard safe sex messages before,but they haven’t heard them in such a frank yet affirming manner from women they respect and love, as if they are conversing with their own mothers, sisters, or friends." For these series of announcements titled "Look/Listen/Love/Respect", the mothers, sisters and friends are Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Perez, and Amanda Peet.



The national ad campaign was made possible by a grant from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Cable Positive, and produced by a collaboration between HIV Forum NYC and the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York. Directed by Colin Weil of Lovett Productions in New York City, Look/Listen/Love/Respect features Sarandon, Goldberg, Perez, emphasizing the essential role that love, respect, and self-esteem play in helping gay men lead safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives.



“Despite knowing that condoms prevent HIV transmission, many gay men continue to engage in risky and self-destructive behavior,” said Dan Carlson, Founder of HIV Forum NYC. “As we mark World AIDS Day and the 25th anniversary of the discovery of HIV, we wanted to reframe the conversation among gay men about condom use and redefine what that simple act means.”



Make no bones about it, this is not your mother's PSA. In an effort to make gay men feel more comfortable discussing difficult topics with friends and partners, subjects traditionally considered by most as taboo for women to mention in private much less on national television like barebacking and crystal meth are delivered in a very frank direct manner. In one of the ads, Goldberg asks viewers: “Do you really think doing crystal meth makes you cool? Meth makes you do dumb stuff – like barebacking. What’s cool, is being true to yourself and helping your friends. Love and respect. Now that’s cool.”

In another spot, Peet gently stresses the need for communication in stopping HIV transmissions: “Talking about HIV won’t kill the mood, and then you can really get comfortable...You can be carefree without being careless.”


Carlson adds that the campaign is not about HIV education: “These are financed without government funding, so the spots are free to speak specifically to gay men and the realities of their lives. It's a critical message that has been missing from public health campaigns.”

In addition, Callen-Lorde is distributing the PSAs to a network of LGBT clinics in major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, Washington, Boston, and Baltimore. The spots are also being distributed via Manmade Media, an organization that provides more than 500 gay clubs and bars across the country with video content.

Broadway Cares was able to fund this program thanks to countless acts of generosity from theater fans and professionals accross America by way of donations and through tickets to events like this Monday's Easter Bonnet Competition.

If there is someone in your life who you feel should hear this message, please feel free to click the "share" button on the video viewer or forward this blog on to them. Like a single dollar in a colletion bucket outside a show, forwarding this message can make a difference.

To see four additional PSAs in this campaign and to learn more about LOOK/ LISTEN/ LOVE/ RESPECT, visit www.loveandrespect.us

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Posted by Broadway Cares at Friday, December 01, 2006 |

Sunday, November 19, 2006

AT REHEARSAL WITH CHITA - A PHOTO AND VIDEO SNEAK PEEK

A VISIT WITH CHITA and RICHARD AMARO at NEW DANCE GROUP REHEARSING AN EVENING OF LATIN RHYTHMS
From the Broadway Cares News Desk
Photos by Stephen Mosher
Video by Ken Kleiber
(New York, NY -November 19, 2006)
Last Friday afternoon, cable television host, Ken Kleiber of "That's Kentertainment" and portrait photographer, Stephen Mosher (photographer and author of "The Sweater Book") stopped by New Dance Group to meet with director / choreographer, Richard Amaro while he worked with Broadway legend Chita Rivera through the mambo routine they'll be performing together at B.B. KINGS as part of the Broadway Cares benefit event -

"AN EVENING OF LATIN RHYTHMS - with CHITA and FRIENDS"

Although both Kleiber and Mosher had planned short interviews and quick photo shoots during a company break, they were invited to stay the length of the rehearsal by LATIN RHYTHMS' director, Richard Amaro and were treated to a private performance given by the incredibly talented Mambo and Salsa Dancing Ensemble of Broadway Gypsies and a rare look at the genius of Chita Rivera at work in rehearsal.
Known for the candid yet theatrical style of his portraits, Mosher's preview of the Chita Rivera photos clearly show the joy and passion of both Star and Director as they go through the paces of perfecting one of the many intricate, and highly energic dances that will be seen on Monday at BB Kings in AN EVENING OF LATIN RHYTHMS.


GET AN EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK OF FOOTAGE FROM THE CHITA RIVERA INTERVIEW AND REHEARSAL FOR LATIN RHYTHMS
Ken Kleiber has completed the Chita Rivera segment that will appear on his next show it is posted now for a limited time only on BroadwayWorld.com

Hoe you enjoy the preview, but nothing takes the place of a live performance.

Don't miss the One Night Only Event -

AN EVENING OF LATIN RHYTHMS with CHITA and FRIENDS for a night of some of the best world famous and and emerging Latino talent working in music, TV, film, and ofcourse Broadway.

Scheduled to appear with Chita are

Two time Tony Award nominee and two Time Emmy winner - John Leguizamo
Grammy Award winner and Academy Award nominee - Ray Santos
Recent Latin Grammy Award winning trombonist - Jimmy Bosch
Actress and recording artist, now appearing in Les Miserables - Daphne Rubin Vega
The Godmother of Telenovelas and international television star - Lupita Ferrer
Vanessa from HBO's "Six Feet Under" - Justina Machado
Actor from television's "My So Called Life" and LOGO's "Noah's Ark" - Wilson Cruz
Bway and TV Star from "Miami Vice","The Sopranos" "NINE" - Saundra Santiago
Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright of Broadway's "Anna in the Tropics" - Nilo Cruz
Latin/Bway crossover recording artist & 3 year Eponine from "Les Miz" - Natalie Toro
Actor, dancer, recording artist - from "Hot Feet" - Allen Hidalgo
Stars of the Broadway Bound Latin themed musical "In The Heights" - Doreen Montalvo and Tony Chiroldes

There are still a few good seats left for Latin Rhythms which can be bought on the BC/EFA website http://www.broadwaycares.org/or by calling 212.840.0770 x268

That's Kentertainment can be seen on Thursdays in Manhattan Channel 34 or online at http://www.mnn.org/ or BroadwayWorld.com


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Posted by Broadway Cares at Sunday, November 19, 2006 |

Friday, November 17, 2006

THIRTY FIVE SOAP OPERA STARS RETURN TO TOWN HALL FOR BROADWAY CARES BENEFIT


“ABC DAYTIME SALUTES BROADWAY CARES / EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS”

(New York, NY – November 17, 2006) - Day Time returns to Times Square, on Sunday night, February 25, 2007 7:30 PM at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) when thirty-five stars from ABC TV’s top rated daytime programs; THE VIEW, ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, and GENERAL HOSPITAL take the Great White Way by storm for an evening of musical entertainment and comedy benefiting Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS.

Now a yearly event, “ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS” marks the third benefit the network has produced with and in support of BC/EFA. Among those daytime stars scheduled to perform are Broadway veterans: Joy Behar, Kathy Brier, Jacob Young, Kerry Butler, David Canary, Renee Goldsberry, Catherine Hickland, Kristen Alderson and Jeffrey Carlson. They will be joined on the Town Hall stage by denizens of Pine Valley, Llanview and Port Charles including: Bobbie Eakes, Alexa Havins, Melissa Egan, Alicia Minshew, Cady McClain, Camerson Mathison, Jeff Branson, Chrishell Stause, Aiden Turner, Justin Bruening, and Colin Egglesfield from ALL MY CHILDREN, Robin Strasser, Erika Slezak, Trevor St. John, John Paul Lavoisier, Forbes March, Tika Sumpter and Brandon Buddy from ONE LIFE TO LIVE, and Jason Thompson, Scott Clifton, Kimberly McCullough, and Rick Hearst from GENERAL HOSPITAL.

In addition to the star turns, surprise performances and production numbers that have become a signature for this event, 2007 will introduce an interactive component to this event with the debut of “Casting Call.” A hybrid of live auction and on stage audition, “Casting Call” will offer audience members the opportunity to make their own daytime television debut on the set of ALL MY CHILDREN or ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

Tickets:
$500 * Premium Orchestra and $250 * for Center Orchestra * includes VIP post show Meet the Evening’s Stars reception $95 and $65 for Rear Orchestra and Mezzanine For tickets and information visit – www.broadwaycares.org or call – 212.840.0770 x 268

“ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS” is made possible through generous corporate sponsorships from The New York Times, Continental Airlines, Disney, MAC Viva Glam and Soap Net.
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Posted by Broadway Cares at Friday, November 17, 2006 |

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

JOHN LEGUIZAMO and JIMMY BOSCH JOIN CHITA RIVERA, ...

EMMY AND OBIE AWARD WINNING ACTOR / WRITER RETURNS TO THE NEW YORK STAGE FOR - AN EVENING OF LATIN RHYTHMS

Multi Latin Grammy® winner Jimmy Bosch has confirmed that he will appear on Monday November 20th in AN EVENING OF LATIN RHYTHMS at BB Kings Blues Club. Bosch will be joined on stage by two time Emmy award winner, actor / writer - John Leguizamo. The one night only event will benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS.

Leguizamo first came to national attention with his performance in his Obie® and Outer Critic Award winning play MAMBO MOUTH. Born in Columbia and raised in Jackson Heights, Queens - Leguizamo's numerous stage, screen and television appearances include his Tony Award nominated play - FREAK and the film "Moulin Rouge". He will be joined on stage by Broadway legend Chita Rivera and a cavalcage of Latin American Broadway, television and film stars including: Rosie Perez, Tony Award ® winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia (RENT), Daphne Rubin Vega (Les Miserables, RENT) Allen Hidalgo (Hot Feet), Wilson Cruz (LOGO TV’s Noah’s Ark), Justina Machado (HBO’s Six Feet Under), John Herrera (The Times They Are A-Changin’), Natalie Toro (Les Miserables), Saundra Santiago (TV’s The Sopranos and Broadway’s NINE) Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Nilo Cruz, Doreen Montalvo and Tony Chiroldes (stars of next season’s musical In The Heights)


Grammy® Award winning trombonist - Jimmy Bosch will be just one of the band of All Star Mambo and Salsa musicians. The evening’s music will be orchestrated and conducted by four time Grammy Award ® winner and Academy Award ® nominee Ray Santos who will helm the evening’s musical journey that will span the jazz and mambo hits of the “Palladium era” through the Cuban “Salsa invasion” of the 1950s and 60s that continues to influence today’s biggest Latin recording stars. A nineteen member ensemble of dancers from the worlds of Broadway and Latin Ballroom will be highlighted by a rare appearance by the legendary original stars of Latin Ballroom Augie and Margo Rodgriguez.

LATIN RHYTHMS will take place at BB Kings Blues Club and Grill on Monday November 20th with a cocktail reception at 6:30PM followed by an 8:00PM curtain with dancing immediately after the performance until midnight.

Tickets can be purchased online by going to www.broadwaycares.org or by calling 212.840.0770 x 268

Posted by Broadway Cares at Tuesday, November 14, 2006 |

Friday, November 03, 2006

SUTTON FOSTER "SHOWS OFF" WITH HER NEW HOLIDAY CARD COLLECTION

from the BC/EFA Newsdesk

Tony Award Winning Actress / Artist raises money for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS with a new line of original Holiday Cards.

Over the past few years, audiences have seen Sutton Foster sing, dance, tap, die on a barricade, turn cartwheels, do splits and even belt high notes while drinking a glass of water. This week, add published artist to the list of this Tony Award winning actress' long list of skills and accomplishments.

In between recently getting married and performing her busy eight show per week schedule on the hit musical - THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Tony Award winning actress Sutton Foster has created a series of four holiday cards to raise money for Broadway Cares / Equity fights AIDS. Foster, has employed collage style to create holiday cards featuring snowmen in iconic scenes from four well known Broadway Shows (PHANTOM, LES MIZ, WICKED, and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE) and packaged them in boxes of 12 (three from each show) for $20. Sutton's cards will be on sale in the lobby of the Marquis Theatre after each performance of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE.

Foster isn't alone in her creative support of Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Her co-star and DROWSY CHAPERONE co-creator, Bob Martin has written a special addendum to the smash musical's finale where he encourages audience members to donate to BC/EFA in character as The Man in Chair.

Posted by Broadway Cares at Friday, November 03, 2006 |

MARC SHAIMAN: FUNDRAISING BECOMES HIM

TONY AWARD WINNING COMPOSER AUCTIONS ORIGINAL SONGS TO RAISE MONEY FOR BROADWAY CARES / EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS

from the BC/EFA Newsdesk

It's been a busy week at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre this week with fundraising efforts from the cast of MARTIN SHORT: FAME BECOMES ME creating the kind of buzz and excitement not seen since the Hugh Jackman BOY FROM OZ era. Tony Award winning composer from HAIRSPRAY and FAME BECOMES ME co-star, Marc Shaiman has been auctioning off “original songs” to the highest bidder after every performance at the Jacobs Theatre to raise money for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Whoever wins the nightly auction gets a song written especially for them by Shaiman.

To add even more glamour and excitement to this, the winning bids and original songs are being won by celebrities in the audience who are seeing the show or making the cameo appearance in the Jiminy Glick segment. Just this week alone – Tim Allen, Ron Howard, and David Hasselhoff have spent upwards of $2,000 each to be the proud owner of a Shaiman original. Also on auction for Broadway Cares nightly at FAME BECOMES ME – is a “Warholesque” portrait of Martin Short as Ed Grimly which was won this week by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Last week, superstar Bette Midler appeared on stage after FAME BECOMES ME - to sing her signature song - "The Rose" at Shaiman's insistence to encourage audience members to "dig a little deeper" when donating to Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Kudos to Marc, Martin, and the company of FAME BECOMES ME for getting 2006's Fall fundraising efforts off to such an incredible start!

Posted by Broadway Cares at Friday, November 03, 2006 |

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

CHITA RIVERA TO HEADLINE - AN EVENING OF LATIN RHYTHMS

Latin American Stars of Stage, Screen and Music Unite for a
One Night Only benefit for BROADWAY CARES / EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS

(New York, NY – November 1, 2006) The worlds of Latin music and Broadway are set to unite again at BB Kings Blues Club and Grill on Monday November 20th for the latest edition of AN EVENING OF LATIN RHYTHMS a one night only event benefiting Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). The evening starts with a cocktail reception at 6:30PM followed by an 8:00PM curtain with dancing immediately after the performance until midnight.

Broadway legend and Kennedy Center Honor recipient Chita Rivera is set to headline a roster of Latin American Broadway, television and film stars including: Academy Award ® nominee Rosie Perez, Tony Award ® winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia (RENT), Daphne Rubin Vega (Les Miserables, RENT) Allen Hidalgo (Hot Feet), Wilson Cruz (LOGO TV’s Noah’s Ark), Justina Machado (HBO’s Six Feet Under), John Herrera (The Times They Are A-Changin’), Natalie Toro (Les Miserables), Saundra Santiago (TV’s The Sopranos and Broadway’s NINE) Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Nilo Cruz, Doreen Montalvo and Tony Chiroldes (stars of next season’s musical In The Heights) The evening’s music will be orchestrated and conducted by four time Grammy Award ® winner and Academy Award ® nominee Ray Santos who will helm the evening’s musical journey that will span the jazz and mambo hits of the “Palladium era” through the Cuban “Salsa invasion” of the 1950s and 60s that continues to influence today’s biggest Latin recording stars. A nineteen member ensemble of dancers from the worlds of Broadway and Latin Ballroom will be highlighted by a rare appearance by the legendary original stars of Latin Ballroom Augie and Margo. Following the show, the night will continue with a festive night of dancing with the cast to live music as well as new DJ remixes of contemporary and classic Latin favorites.

Now in its third edition, LATIN RHYTHMS’ director and choreographer, Richard Amaro last seen on Broadway in Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, conceived the series of LATIN RHYTHMS events as a way to celebrate the modern roots of a multi-cultural and multi-racial body of work that spans five decades and continues to blend culture, music, and dance today.

LATIN RHYTHMS is about building community: Latinos helping Latinos, as some of the entertainment industry’s finest Hispanic performers come out celebrate, educate and support their own. BC/EFA distributes funds year-round from events like LATIN RHYTHMS to AIDS service organizations across the country combating AIDS in Hispanic communities, such as Hispanic AIDS Forum in Manhattan, La Familia Unida AIDS Outreach Project in the Bronx, Casa Betsaida in Brooklyn, Project VIDA in Chicago, International AIDS Empowerment in El Paso, and Bill’s Kitchen and Centro de Interrencion e Intergracion Paso a Paso in Puerto Rico, among others.

Tickets range from $50 to $500 and can be purchased through the Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS website – www.broadwaycares.org or by calling 212.840.0770 ext 268

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Posted by Broadway Cares at Wednesday, November 01, 2006 |