'Gypsy of the Year' Competition Raises $2,992,800

The Neil Simon Theater was packed on Tuesday, Dec. 5 for the 18th Annual "Gypsy of the Year" Competition to raise funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Hosting the event were "Spamalot's" Jonathan Hadary and Marin Mazzie.

Celebrity judges included Cynthia Nixon, Jill Clayburgh, Marian Seldes and choreographer Christopher Gattelli. This is a must see show that I recommend for all theatergoers (tickets start at only $20).  It celebrates the work of members of Broadway ensembles also known as "gypsies".

This year 14 musicals, one off-Broadway play, and one comedy put on clever, entertaining and moving numbers. The show itself raised $194,500 of the $2,992,800 raised by Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring companies around the country.

The show always starts with an opening number. This year's was entitled "The Genesis of the Gypsy" which included the very-talented Jay Johnson ("The Two and Only").

The cast of "A Chorus Line" presented "10 and Out" which was "in honor of an understudy or cover who's felt this rejection". Did you ever what happens to the dancers in the show who are cut at the beginning of the show? They are the "10 and Out" who understudy for the leads and also are known as "pit singers" giving the ensemble a stronger sound.

A tradition since "Urinetown The Musical" was on Broadway continued with a comedic routine by Officer Lockstock and Little Sally. This was my fourth "Gypsy" I've attended and I always look forward to their routine.  They talked about Mark Foley returning to New York for the "Billy Elliot" auditions and Michael Richards taking a backstage tour of "The Color Purple".

"The Lion King" then performed a brilliant dance piece entitled "Red". Each year their dancers excel. "Tarzan" then did "Equity Fights Aids".

A parody of "Pocahontas the Musical" was done by the cast of "Beauty and the Beast" which included a poke at Twyla Tharpe's "The Times They Are A-Changin". 

Sarah Saltzberg and Law Tarello of "Spelling Bee" wrote "December's Other, Less Famous Holidays" singing about Chanukah, Kwanzaa, ("Why should Christians Have All the Fun"), Ramadan, etc.

The cast of "Hairspray" reported a recent court ruling in New Jersey allowing gay marriages. They then gave a hilarious rendition of "I Can Hear the Bells" with a twist. The character Link kept pushing away Tracy Turnblad for his gay partner. It was hysterical. Two cast members wore tee shirts from Baltimore's Patterson Park High School.
 
You would expect a great dance number for the cast of "The Times They Are A-Changin" and they didn't fail in a piece entitled "Thou Winter Wind".
 
There was a take-off of the "Saturday Night Live" nightly news with theater news read by Greg Reuter and Steve Rosen (who subbed for Jennifer Frankel).  "Now with the addition of "Mary Poppins" on Broadway, "Mamma Mia" doesn't have the most gays on Broadway anymore".

Non-Broadway performers were welcomed by "Rent". Cast members have spent much time working with New York City school students and the lucky kids from Teen2Teen, Academy of Theatre Arts, and East Side Community High School presented their own work on a Broadway stage.

Tony winner Bob Martin gave an "alternative" ending to "The Drowsy Chaperone" where he falls in love with the electrician who comes to fix the electricity in his apartment…and much electricity occurred between the two.

There is one show that has performed during all 18 years of the "Gypsy" program…"The Phantom of the Opera". Their program was a parody of "Grey Gardens" called "Majestic Gardens".

Even actors occasionally call-in sick. That was the subject of "Mamma Mia's" "Calling in Sick" sung to "Bye Bye Birdie's" song "The Telephone Hour" where actors called in sick when…well you can imagine.  Technical difficulties occurred during the number but kudos to the talented cast who started from the beginning after their music had some problems during their routine.

A mesmerizing performance was offered by the cast of "The Color Purple" who presented "When, Where, Why Will I Go?" The strong singing ensemble was complimented by phenomenal dancers. It was clear they would win the talent competition to this reporter and they did. The show also raised the most money of any Broadway musical.

The top fundraising Off-Broadway play was "The Clean House" and the play "The Little Dog Laughed" raised the most by a play. They also did a cute skit.  "Wicked's" Chicago company raised the most money in the category for national touring companies.

There were two very moving moments during the afternoon. First, the lyricist for the "The Fantasticks", Tom Jones sang a song he wrote entitled "Mr. Off-Broadway" which got a great ovation.

But, no question, everyone in the theater will remember "Hairspray's" composer Marc Shaiman sitting at the piano singing a song dedicated to those who have been lost. Representing "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me", Shaiman spoke of a song he wrote for a woman who bought his services at an auction. Shaiman wrote a song about her deceased mother and how lucky she was to have a Mom who "took me to Broadway". The audience was moved to tears as he finished this beautiful melody and the spotlight on him dimmed.  The entire audience immediately gave Shaiman a standing ovation.

You can buy the DVD or video of this event via www.broadwaybeat.com.  This song alone is worth buying the recording.

For further information or to contribute you can log onto www.broadwaycares/equityfightsaids.  Visit this link to see pictures from the event.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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