Behind the Scenes Fall 2012

Page 1

Broadway Flea Market

& Grand Auction

$4.6 Million Support The Actors Fund Easter Bonnet Competition International AIDS Conference

National Grants

$5.6 Million Awarded B r o a d way B a r e s X X II :

Happy Endings Bucks County Cabaret

Fire Island Dance Festival 18 b r o a d way c a r e s . o r g


who’s who

[AT BROADWAY CARES]

[ ] Executive Director from the

Behind the Scenes is published by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS 165 West 46th Street, Suite 1300 New York, NY 10036 212.840.0770 info@broadwaycares.org broadwaycares.org

Dear Friends: In an economy that continues to dictate devastating cutbacks for hundreds of direct service providers funded by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, it is remarkable that we’ve had such an extraordinary year of fundraising.

Tom Viola, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Michael Graziano, PRODUCING DIRECTOR Larry Cook, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Danny Whitman, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

But what’s more remarkable are the tens of thousands of acts of generosity, creativity and uncommon kindness; the incredible commitment of resources, talent, time and energy that have come together to make it possible.

AND DEVELOPMENT

BC/EFA OFFICERS Paul Libin, PRESIDENT Ira Mont, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Thomas Schumacher, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Nina Lannan, THIRD VICE PRESIDENT Sherry Cohen, FOURTH VICE PRESIDENT Philip Birsh, TREASURER Judith Rice, SECRETARY BC/EFA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Cornelius Baker John Barnes Scott Barnes Joseph Benincasa Chris Boneau Bob Boyett Barry Brown Kate Burton Robert Callely Kathleen Chalfant Alan Cumming Gavin Darraugh Michael David B. Merle Debuskey Maria Di Dia Paul DiDonato Sam Ellis Richard Frankel Roy Harris Richard Hester Craig Jacobs Richard Jay-Alexander Cherry Jones Nathan Lane Jay Laudato

Margo Lion Nancy Mahon Michael McElroy Mary McColl Kevin McCollum Terrence McNally Jerry Mitchell Bernadette Peters Martin Richards Chita Rivera Jordan Roth Nick Scandalios Peter Schneider Robert Score Marian Seldes Jeffrey Seller Philip J. Smith Charlotte St. Martin David Stone Stuart Thompson Tim Tompkins Tom Viola (ex-officio) Robert E. Wankel Beth Williams Nick Wyman

Behind the Scenes Tom Viola, Danny Whitman, Lane Beauchamp, EDITORS

Thank you for being an important part of BC/EFA’s fundraising and, in turn, our grant-making. Together, in 2012 we have provided support for a record 490 AIDS and family service organizations across the country and reinforced the safety net for our friends and champions in the Broadway community through the vital, life-affirming programs of The Actors Fund. In this issue of Behind the Scenes, you’ll read about not only the increased grant-making that you have made possible, but also our always unique and dazzling events. You’ll see eye-popping photos from Broadway Bares XXII: Happy Endings, the stunning beauty of Fire Island Dance Festival 18, the sublime and delightful Easter Bonnet Competition and every theatre lover’s favorite day of the year, the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction. You’ll also read how we’ve been able to share some of this good fortune with our remarkable affiliate organizations – Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP), the Broadway Green Alliance, Broadway Impact and R.Evolución Latina – which have become essential parts of Broadway Cares and the collective passions within the Broadway community. You will also learn about BC/EFA’s unique involvement in July with the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington. Because of you there is hope and essential human services for many who have been pushed to the margins of society, find themselves struggling in an uncertain environment or simply need some assistance to stand up and take charge of their lives once again. Thank you for joining hands with BC/EFA, particularly in these days of so much finger-wagging and angry fists. When many would rather blame, diminish or dismiss those less fortunate or vulnerable, thank you for providing the means for a responsible safety net of services that can turn misfortune into renewed health, opportunity and recovery. Your generosity and support are BC/EFA’s greatest blessing. It is a rare and invaluable resource; one we steward with great appreciation and care. With that commitment and collaboration in mind, what we do together will indeed continue to make a difference. Sincerely,

Aaron Waytkus, LAYOUT & DESIGN Contributors Peter Borzotta, Mo Brady, Frank Conway, Sarah Culp, Joe Norton, Ryan Walls Photographers Blandon Belushin, Jay Brady, Rick Edwards, Kevin Thomas Garcia, Da Ping Luo, Walter McBride, Matthew Murphy, Joy Nelson, Rosalie O’Connor, Danny Roberts, Carla Rodríguez, Steve J. Sherman, Monica Simoes, Stephen Sorokoff, Greg Weiner, Peter James Zielinski

broadwaycares.org 2 [behind the] scenes

om Viola T Executive Director

BC/EFA Donates $250,000 Toward Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts Hurricane Sandy dealt a stinging blow in late October to millions of people in more than a dozen states. On behalf of the theatre community and our generous supporters, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS announced hurricane relief grants of $50,000 each to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, AmeriCares and the American Red Cross. An additional $100,000 was awarded to The Actors Fund to address hardships within the entertainment community, including emergency financial assistance, access to medical care and temporary housing. Broadway Cares supports more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations across the Photo by Les Stone/American Red Cross country, including 127 in the hardest hit states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. All are currently expending existing resources to respond to the storm’s aftermath and will depend on BC/EFA’s continued support in the months to come.


[BC/EFA] 2012 Grant-Making “Where Does All That Money Go???” Support for THE ACTORS FUND HIV/AIDS INITIATIVE

$ 2,100,000

PHYLLIS NEWMAN WOMEN’S HEALTH INITIATIVE

$

676,000

AL HIRSCHFELD FREE HEALTH CLINIC

$

660,000

ACTORS FUND WORK PROGRAM

$

400,000

THE DANCERS’ RESOURCE

$

200,000

Stage ManagerS’ Project

$

100,000

EMERGENCY GRANT – January 2012

$

300,000

special Grant – in honor of Hugh Jackman

$

150,000

Miscellaneous Annual Gala, Memorial Donations, Benefit Support, etc.

$

39,000

THE ACTORS FUND

$ 4,625,000

NATIONAL GRANTS

FOOD SERVICE and MEAL DELIVERY PROGRAMS 125 Organizations in 34 States

$ 1,507,500

LOCAL AIDS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS $ 2,255,560 324 Organizations in 47 States Health Clinics, Housing Programs, Case Management, Emergency Financial Assistance, Harm Reduction Programs, Quality of Life Services NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AIDS SERVICE and ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS

$

740,000

THEATRE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS and SPECIAL GRANTS

$

897,300

INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE GRANTS Washington, DC – July 2012

$

117,800

AIDS RESEARCH amfAR and IAVI (International AIDS Vaccine Initiative)

$

105,000

$

54,000

PHYSICIAN VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ARTS Broadway Flu Shot Initiative

NATIONAL GRANTS

$ 5,677,160

INTERNATIONAL GRANTS South Africa / THE LION KING Grants to 32 AIDS Service Organizations and Whole Grain Bread Project

$

295,375

TheatreMAD, London NOMAD TWO WORLDS – Sydney, Austrailia in honor of Hugh Jackman

$ $

21,220 150,000

OTHER

$

88,000

INTERNATIONAL GRANTS

$ 554,595

SUBTOTAL

the ACTORS FUND NATIONAL Grants

$ 4,625,000 $ 5,677,160

SUBTOTAL

INTERNATIONAL Grants

$

SUBTOTAL

2012 BC/EFA GRANT-MAKING TOTAL broadwaycares.org

554,595

$ 10,856,755


[Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids]

MISSION STATEMENT Approved by the BC/EFA Board of Trustees – May 27, 2010

•  To mobilize the unique abilities within the entertainment industry to mitigate the suffering of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS; •  To ensure direct support specifically through social services and programs of the Actors Fund to all individuals in the entertainment industry affected by critical health issues, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS; •  To support organizations across the country which provide treatment or services for people specifically affected by HIV/AIDS and their families;

[table of ]

CONTENTS   3 Where Does All That Money Go?   5 Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction   8 The Actors Fund 11 Easter Bonnet Competition 14 International AIDS Conference 16 National Grants 20 Broadway Bares XXII 22 Broadway Barks 14 23 Bucks County Cabaret 24 Fire Island Dance Festival 18 26 Classical Action 27 Education & Outreach 28 Beyond the Footlights 30 BC/EFA Affiliate Organizations 32 The Angels Circle 34 Legacy & Leadership 35 Online Store

•  To promote and encourage public support for national and international programs and services which benefit people with HIV/AIDS; •  To increase public awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS through the creation and dissemination of educational materials; •  To support efforts by the entertainment industry to address other critical health issues or respond to an emergency, in each case as approved by the Board of Trustees; •  To support efforts by the entertainment industry in other charitable or educational endeavors, in each case as approved by the Board of Trustees.

broadwaycares.org

A HISTORY OF BC/EFA’s grant-making National & The Actors Fund Int’l Grants 1987–1992 Equity Fights AIDS $ 2,775,250 1988–May 1992 Broadway Cares $ 1,067,000 BC/EFA Contributions 5/92–12/92 $ 634,000 $ 771,780 1993 $ 1,654,000 $ 1,184,119 1994 $ 1,758,000 $ 676,404 1995 $ 1,791,000 $ 707,916 1996 $ 2,010,000 $ 1,400,549 1997 $ 2,247,500 $ 1,342,200 1998 $ 2,471,000 $ 1,711,819 1999 $ 2,700,000 $ 3,039,841 2000 $ 2,955,336 $ 3,033,566 2001 $ 2,829,500 $ 3,238,765 2002 $ 2,732,000 $ 2,689,679 2003 $ 3,022,500 $ 3,115,969 2004 $ 3,360,500 $ 4,437,338 2005 $ 3,516,500 $ 4,469,798 2006 $ 3,517,500 $ 4,518,364 2007 $ 3,671,500 $ 5,152,546 2008 $ 4,302,000 $ 5,737,298 2009 $ 3,400,000 $ 4,492,489 2010 $ 4,160,000 $   5,824,988 2011 $ 4,014,500 $   5,305,700 2012* $ 4,625,000 $   6,231,755

Total $ 2,775,250 $ 1,067,000 $ 1,405,780 $ 2,838,119 $ 2,434,404 $ 2,498,916 $ 3,410,549 $ 3,589,700 $ 4,182,819 $ 5,739,841 $ 5,988,902 $ 6,068,265 $ 5,421,676 $ 6,138,469 $ 7,797,838 $ 7,986,298 $ 8,035,864 $ 8,824,046 $ 10,039,298 $ 7,892,489 $ 9,984,988 $ 9,320,200 $ 10,856,755

* unaudited

Total Support 1988–2012

BC/EFA Grant-Making Total 1988–2012 4 [behind the] scenes

$ 64,147,586

$ 70,149,880

$134,297,466


Broadway flea market & grand auction

Broadway Treasures Push Final Tally to $681,892

T

he spirit and generosity of the theatre community shined as brightly as the autumn sun as the 26th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction blew past all previous record totals to raise a spectacular $681,892. The all-day event on Sunday, September 23, featured 59 tables overflowing with theatrical memorabilia, rare mementos and unique Broadway treasures, more than five dozen stars at the Celebrity Autograph Table & Photo Booth and 207 Grand Auction lots up for bid in live and silent auctions. This year’s event stretched across Times Square to 46th Street, through Shubert Alley and along West 44th Street. The record-setting year was propelled by the immensely popular live auction, which ended the beautifully crisp day with heated bidding wars, all in support of a good cause. The live auction raised $298,300 – the most ever, eclipsing last year’s live auction total of $201,500 and sliding past the previous record of $294,250 set in 1996. “I am always struck by the extraordinary enthusiasm from hundreds in the theater community, scores of volunteers and truly thousands of theatre lovers and fans whose great

generosity of spirit make the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction such an incredible success,” said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. “It’s worth remembering that this uniquely Broadway event ultimately is about one thing: helping people in crisis and need.” This year, the 59 tables of the Broadway Flea Market collectively raised $286,087 and represented Broadway’s top shows, several off-Broadway shows and many organizations within the theatrical community. These tables featured many pieces from theatrical history, including Playbills from every Broadway opening from Oklahoma! to Bring It On: The Musical and autographed posters of practically every show to hit the Great White Way from A Chorus Line to The Book of Mormon. Many of the tables featured one-of-a-kind show memorabilia, from small autographed bar coasters used on the set of Once to Wednesday Addams’ full-sized coffin from The Addams Family. There were bracelets crafted from the flight rigging of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark and earrings made from guitar picks used in Rock of Ages. The Broadway Green Alliance table featured many upcycled items, including holiday ornaments created from opening night champagne corks. [behind the] scenes 5


The once-a-year market holds a cherished spot in the heart of many Broadway fans. For Wesley Boozler, it’s something he looks forward to each year. “I live in Florida now and I came back just for the Broadway Flea Market,” he said. “I’ve been coming since the ’90s. You find one-of-a-kind items you can’t find anywhere else. Props, costumes and all sorts of really interesting minutiae from the Broadway community.” Among the treasures Boozler found this year: a red terrycloth robe from Miss Saigon. The Grand Auction included both live and silent auctions. The top-selling lot of the day was a once-in-a-lifetime VIP package to Barbra Streisand’s concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, including a backstage meet-and-greet with the extraordinary superstar. The package raised an astonishing $40,000 from two bidders. Tickets to the New York movie premiere of the muchanticipated Les Misérables, starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Aaron Tveit, including passes to the opening night party, raised an equally astounding $32,000. Other top live auction lots included an evening at the blockbuster revival of Evita, featuring a backstage meeting with star Ricky Martin and an autographed shirt he wore onstage; a 6 [behind the] scenes

one-on-one office meeting with iconic theatre producer/director Hal Prince; a private lunch with stage-and-screen legend Angela Lansbury; opening night VIP tickets for 16 upcoming Broadway shows; and walk-on roles in several Broadway hits. This year’s live auction was hosted by Broadway Cares favorite John Bolton with BC/EFA’s iconic auctioneer Lorna Kelly and actress and auctioneer Tasha Lawrence engaging the bidders. Earlier in the day, a series of half-hour silent auctions included 144 items and raised $81,505. Musical phrases handwritten and signed by Broadway composers and lyricists continue to be among the most-popular lots. The top silent auction item, which sold for $4,500, was a musical phrase of “Superboy and the Invisible Girl” from Next to Normal, written and signed by Tony winners Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. The always popular Celebrity Autograph Table and Photo Booth raised $15,533 from hundreds of fans who waited in line to meet their favorite Broadway and television stars. More than 60 good friends to Broadway Cares donated their time to meet with fans and sign autographs, including Ed Asner, Stephanie J. Block, Danny Burstein, Charles Busch, Mario Cantone, Adam


TABLES

Top 10

Wicked ....................................................$17,245

The Phantom of the Opera..................... $9,945

United Scenic Artists Local 829............$17,112

The Araca Group...................................... $9,814

Newsies...................................................$14,673

Broadway Impact .................................... $7,888

Broadway Beat/Reel Time Video.........$13,561

Creative Goods Merchandise ................ $7,851

TDF..........................................................$12,806

Max Merchandising................................. $7,725

Chanler-Berat, Corey Cott, Robert Cuccioli, Tyne Daly, Colman Domingo, Harvey Fierstein, Malcolm Gets, Ari Graynor, Ann Harada, Judy Kaye, Steve Kazee, Aaron Lazar, Rebecca Luker, Kyle Dean Massey, Jan Maxwell, Andrea McArdle, Michael McGrath, Judy McLane, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Debra Monk, Jessie Mueller, Donna Murphy, Bebe Neuwirth, Phyllis Newman, Karen Olivo, Laura Osnes, Patrick Page, Jill Paice, Bernadette Peters, Anthony Rapp, Alice Ripley, Michael Shannon, Tony Sheldon, Will Swenson and more. Weather and street construction the last few years have presented challenges

that have offered Broadway Cares opportunities to expand beyond the traditional space on West 44th Street and in Shubert Alley. Adding Times Square locations the past two years – including the pedestrian plazas on Broadway between 43rd and 44th Streets in 2011 and, this year, between 45th and 47th Streets – could not have been possible without the tremendous support and guidance of Times Square Alliance Executive Director and BC/EFA Trustee Tim Tompkins and his hardworking staff. The 26 editions of the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction have raised a grand total of $9,870,369. The inaugural

edition of the event in 1987 raised $12,000. This year’s total was up $137,384 over 2011’s total of $547,658. The previous record total for the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction was $574,000 set in 2000. The 26th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction was sponsored by United Airlines, The New York Times and Times Square Alliance. n

PHOTOS & VIDEOS

broadwaycares.org/fleamarket2012

Rivka Katvan’s Photography Makes Lasting Impressions

P

roviding a rare view of life backstage, celebrated photographer Rivka Katvan has captured images of noted Broadway personalities for more than 40 years. For more than 15 years she has graciously donated stunning prints of her work to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction. From a striking 1984 photograph of Elizabeth Taylor backstage at The Little Foxes to a portrait of famed director/producer Hal Prince, Katvan’s photographic contributions have helped Broadway Cares raise $33,400. Her dramatic photographs encapsulate the creative processes of actors, directors, composers and choreographers, in rehearsal spaces and dressing rooms. From Angela Lansbury and Nathan Lane to Hal Prince and Stephen Sondheim, her images show the human moments it takes to create larger-than-life characters and productions. “I love shooting backstage because it allows me to see each artist’s journey toward creation,” Katvan said. “To be able to share that love with Broadway Cares and know it’s ultimately helping people who need it most is simply an additional blessing.” n [behind the] scenes 7


The actors fund

T

Unsung Heroes Provide Daily Lifelines

he mission is stated in two simple sentences: “The Actors Fund is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition.” But the work of The Actors Fund is anything but simple. The Fund helped more than 12,800 entertainment professionals last year, stabilizing the lives of nearly 5,000 people.

For more than 25 years, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has been there to help those who are helping others, awarding $64.1 million to maintain that safety net for all who give so much of themselves in the entertainment community.

BC/EFA’s support includes funding for the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, the Actors Fund Work Program, The Dancers’ Resource and the Stage Managers’ Project. In 2012, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS awarded more than $4.6 million in support of these essential programs. The work is carried out every day by a team of professionals who seemingly pull off miracles. When sickness strikes, when jobs disappear, when hardships prevail, they’re there to help. Here’s a snapshot of those who are making a difference on the front lines of The Actors Fund programs

every day.

experienced the widespread loss of the epidemic’s earlier days, so their understanding of HIV/AIDS is not the same as those who have. And he’s working with constituents infected in the 1980s and 1990s who never thought they’d live long enough to be looking at retirement. “Our goal is to help people be whole, healthy, stable and functioning,” Curtis said. “We’re just beginning to see the impact long-term medications have on other health issues. And we’re also continuing to work on being agents of prevention. I’m motived in this fight by the people I’ve lost. They inspire me.” n

HIV/AIDS Initiative 2012 Grant: $2,100,000

For most of Kent Curtis’ adult life, HIV/AIDS has directly affected both his professional and personal lives. He’s worked in a hospital and with clinical trials, and now is supervisor of the HIV/AIDS Initiative at The Actors Fund. He’s lost his best childhood friend, a roommate, an uncle and countless others to the epidemic. His days are focused on doing all he can to help those who need it most. The HIV/AIDS Initiative works with men and women in the industry to create confidential, holistic plans and support systems that will meet each person’s emotional, medical and financial needs. Broadway Cares funding represents more than 80 percent of the program’s budget. “ T hey helped me get housing and gave me emotional support and listened to me when life was difficult. I have a second family—I don’t consider myself a client.” – Mario

In addition to meeting with constituents, Curtis spends a lot of time connecting them with assistance programs, insurance options, pharmaceutical companies for discounted medications and more. Curtis and his colleagues face multiple challenges. They’re working with a generation of people in their 20s and 30s who never 8 [behind the] scenes

Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative 2012 Grant: $676,000

Amy Wilder shuffled through some files on her desk to find one particular thank you note she received a few months ago. As the social worker for the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative since 2009, Wilder has ridden the emotional and physical rollercoaster with women coping with a wide range of health concerns. Her empathy is rooted in challenges she faced personally.


Wilder’s first calling was as a dancer. Initially plucked from high school, she performed with American Ballet Theatre for 12 years until she suffered a career-ending injury. “So, there I was in my mid 20s realizing I had to transition down a totally new path,” she said. “ T hey arranged for Visiting Nurse Services support, physical therapy sessions, financial aid and mental health care after I was in a severe accident. Through it all, they were there for me.” – Mary

She went back to school to get her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, focusing on social work because of her passion for helping people. “What’s great about being at The Actors Fund is the flexibility we offer,” Wilder said. “We can help with housing or financial issues or I can connect them with temporary or secondary employment options. Sometimes, as we work more with a client, we uncover things that may be more at the root of their issues, including substance abuse or mental health concerns. In the best sense, it’s one-stop shopping.” A few months ago, on a particularly challenging day, Wilder received a thank you note from a client – the one she now keeps handy on her desk – that reminded her exactly why she does what she does. The note reads: “Thank you for your continued kindness, generosity, your loving spirit, your gentleness, your dedication, your strength and your tenacity. I appreciate every conversation we had and your constant guidance and support. I appreciate your ability to stay calm and grounded when I was most upset or sick. And I appreciate your ability to find a positive spin on things or even just make me smile or laugh when I felt most overwhelmed. I appreciate you being there. Especially when no one else was. Things are better in my life now. And I know a major reason for that change is you!” n

The clinic was established in 2003 with a $500,000 grant from Broadway Cares to address the immediate needs of those in the entertainment industry who are uninsured or underinsured. Located at The Dorothy Ross Friedman Residences in New York, the Hirschfeld Clinic provides urgent, primary and specialty care and patient education. Spears, the clinic’s medical director, is also on the faculty at Columbia University Medical Center. When he was a resident, he found that his work with the homeless and uninsured provided him the greatest reward and he dedicated his medical work to helping those with the greatest needs. “ N ot all of us are lucky enough to be insured all the time and the clinic allows us to do our art and still feel safe in pursing our art. Our well-being doesn’t have to be sacrificed.” – Amy

In 2011, the clinic cared for more than 1,300 patients. “We continue to see the economic crisis creating a lot of anxiety for patients,” Spears said. “The financial uncertainty adds to their stress, which can complicate all health issues. Fortunately, we can help manage their real medical concerns so that they’re not dealing with more than what they can individually handle.” n

The Actors Fund Work Program 2012 Grant: $400,000

Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic 2012 Grant: $660,000

On a recent Thursday, the morning’s ailments ran the typical gamut of health concerns at a doctor’s office. There was a patient with a skin rash. Another experiencing unexplained arm pain. Others with gastrointestinal concerns, a cervical polyp, a calcium deficiency. For them, and hundreds of other patients every year, Dr. James Spears and his team at the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic in New York are their only lifeline between sickness and health.

The boon in television shows shooting in New York City has provided a much-need boost for many actors’ bank accounts, but it’s far from a permanent solution. As Kathy Schrier, director of The Actors Fund Work Program, points out, those jobs are certainly welcome, but the majority of them last only a few days. Finding complimentary work is as important as ever. “Ultimately this isn’t about finding survival work,” Schrier said. “It’s about finding something where our folks can use their creative skills and experiences. It’s not replacing acting, singing and dancing, but complimenting what they do.” The Actors Fund Work Program is an employment and training program that helps entertainment professionals find sideline work and new careers. Many of the skills that entertainment industry professionals have – communication, discipline, creativity, flexibility, professionalism – are highly valued in the broader labor market. The Actors Work Program helps to identify and apply these skills to other work settings. [behind the] scenes 9


The Actors Fund contin u ed f r om p r evio u s page

Schrier, who’s been with The Actors Fund for more than 13 years, spends her days juggling conversations with program participants and prospective employers, tapping resources to find the right opportunity for each person. “ T he Actors Fund Work Program instills confidence and helps to focus and open the paths so that people can see that they have so much more to share than they may give themselves credit for.” – Erik

She recently worked with a comedian who participated in a collaborative effort with New York City Public Schools called STARRRS – Substitute Teachers for the Arts and the 3 Rs. The more her client stepped into a classroom, the more she realized she had a passion for working with kids. Ultimately, she accepted a full-time job as a drama teacher. “And one of the best parts,” Schrier said, “is that she has a constant source of material now.” n

Now, as director of The Dancers’ Resource, she’s returning the favor for hundreds of others who’ve found themselves in need of guidance, referrals and support. “The system can make you flummoxed,” Vienneau said. “As I meet with people, I try to assess for all their needs. That can include everything from providing counseling for dancers dealing with injuries to referrals for health care and insurance. It’s understanding the full picture and then figuring out how we can get them to the best resources.” “ T he support group for injured dancers addressed the physical pain, the financial stress and the emotional depression of not being able to do what you love. Being able to get my head straight allowed everything else to fall into place, enabling me to move forward.” – Abbie

The Dancers’ Resource was founded in 2007 by two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth with a grant from Broadway Cares, which continues to be its primary funder. It was created in response to the unique situation dancers face due to the physically demanding nature of their work coupled with the significant financial challenges of earning a living in dance. n

Stage Managers’ Project 2012 Grant: $100,000

The Stage Managers’ Project prints and maintains online The New York Stage Managers’ Unofficial Health Directory, a single, reliable list of doctors, specialists and other health care providers who can be called when cast, crew and staff need medical care.

The Dancers’ Resource 2012 Grant: $200,000

Alice Vienneau became inspired to become a social worker by her experience as a client of The Actors Fund. A musical theatre performer for 25 years, Vienneau found herself hospitalized twice in three months. The Actors Fund taught her how to navigate the system.

The indispensible directory, inspired by veteran stage managers Peter Wolf and Sherry Cohen, is a go-to source for those backstage and recently was expanded to provide touring companies with a list of doctors and health professionals in every city of their tours. The directory is now dedicated to Beverley Randolph, who passed away in March after a 30-plus year career stage managing more than 20 Broadway productions. n LEARN MORE

actorsfund.org

Physician Volunteers for the Arts This autumn, Physician Volunteers for the Arts, funded by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and sponsored by Actors’ Equity, provided free flu vaccinations for members of the theatre community for a remarkable 15th season. Dr. Barry Kohn, medical director of Physician Volunteers for the Arts, makes “house calls” to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and many of the theatrical management offices to provide 5,000 shots to cast, crew and staff members. In addition, Kohn provides free flu shots for the theatre community once a month at Actors’ Equity offices in New York and Los Angeles. The costs of the flu vaccine are primarily funded by a $54,000 grant from BC/EFA, with supplemental funding from the BWAY (Better Wellness and You) Coalition. “The flu can spread backstage like wildfire,” Kohn said. “We hope to prevent that from happening and keep the theatrical community healthy so the curtain can go up each night.” 10 [behind the] scenes


26th Annual Easter bonnet competition

Spectacular Performances Cap Intensive Fundraising

A

roof-raising gospel revival, dancing divas in motorized scooters and even a parade of pooches helped make the 26th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition a memorable spectacle celebrating the incredible generosity and creativity of the theatre community and all Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS supporters.

Runner-up for presentation was the company of Mary Poppins. After a hysterical performance at last year’s Gypsy of the Year competition, the young cast members of the show returned with more “junior” versions of classics, this time taking on the darkest and bloodiest of scenes from Medea, Macbeth and Sweeney Todd.

This year’s Easter Bonnet Competition raised $3,677,855, the result of six weeks of intensive fundraising by 51 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced April 24 at the second of two Easter Bonnet shows featuring original presentations, songs, dances and 18 elaborate, custom-made bonnets. Since the Easter Bonnet Competition began in 1987, the event has raised more than $49 million for BC/EFA.

The special award for bonnet design was given to Mamma Mia! for its blooming lavender bonnet revealing a world globe wrapped in sparkling LED lights. The winning bonnet was created by Glen Russo, Rodd Sovar, Monica Kapoor, Don Lawrence, Lisa Brescia and John Maloney.

Ricky Martin, Audra McDonald and Eric McCormack were on hand to announce the total to a standing-room-only audience at the Minskoff Theatre, home to Disney’s The Lion King. The trio also presented awards to the top fundraising companies and the outstanding bonnet presentation. The company of The Lion King took top presentation honors for its celebration called “Hallelujah Harlem.” Featuring a cast singing and dancing in 1920s period costumes, the original number was a call for coming together: “Everybody rise up and walk/To the opportunity/ Rise up to greet the sky/We can become angels of unity.”

Easter Bonnet Competition opened with a sequined and sparkly send-up of the plethora of religious-themed shows that were appearing on Broadway, mixed with a friendly poke at television’s behind-the-scenes hit Smash. The number was directed and choreographed by Rommy Sandhu, with music direction and arrangements by Ben Cohn. It was written by David Beach and Stacia Fernandez. The company of Chicago poked fun at their reputation for employing older dancers with a side-splitting geriatric version of “All That Jazz,” complete with wheelchairs, walkers and a motorized scooter. The presentation from Anything Goes literally went to the dogs as Julie Halston introduced a parade of more than a dozen adorable pooches, escorted by their owners, all members of the Anything Goes cast. [behind the] scenes 11


The company of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark poked fun at their own storied mishaps with “Kiss of the Spider-Man” while Jersey Boys offered a game show-infused peek at the audition process in 3012, Hunger Games-style, complete with a “fight to the finish.” The cast of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess showed that there is much more to their talent than amazing voices: they can dance with the best of them. And The Phantom of the Opera offered an Andrew Lloyd Webber-inspired blend of TV’s Downton Abbey meets The Dating Game, with special appearances by Paul Nolan and Chilina Kennedy from the recent revival of Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar.

Maia Nkenge Wilson represented The Book of Mormon with the jazzy anthem “I Forgive You” about freeing oneself from a troubled relationship, backed by The Golden Plates Band featuring musicians from the show’s orchestra. Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares, enlisted The Lion King’s Ray Mercer to create a powerful and dynamic original choreographic work called “Boys, Boys, Boys.” The company of Broadway’s Mamma Mia! turned their sites toward Bollywood for a stunningly vibrant dance honoring women who have fallen changing our world.

The event’s humor and satire was equally matched with show-stopping song and dance.

Broadway veteran Tituss Burgess sang a rousing and uplifting rendition of the Easter Bonnet anthem, “Help is on the Way,” written by David Friedman.

12 [behind the] scenes


This year’s hosts included Rob Bartlett, Stockard Channing, Gavin Creel, Nick Jonas, Jeremy Jordan, Stacy Keach, Ron Kunene, Judith Light, Lindsay Mendez, Selloane Nkhela, Rory O’Malley, Raven-Symoné, George Salazar and Michael Urie. The Easter Bonnet judges, introduced by Jerry O’Connell and Corbin Bleu, included actors Nina Arianda, Adam Chanler-Berat, Hugh Dancy, Megan Hilty, Celia KeenanBolger and Frank Wood, comedian Lisa Lampanelli,

fundraising Awards Bonnet Presentation Winner................................. The Lion King

costume designer Carrie Robbins and Mark Anderson, United Airline’s senior vice president of corporate and government affairs. Also joining the panel was Karen Walter, who won her spot as the high bidder on an exclusive VIP package at the 25th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction. This year’s Easter Bonnet Competition was directed by Kristin Newhouse and made possible by an army of volunteers including an outstanding stage management team led by Valerie Lau-Kee Lai. Easter Bonnet Competition is sponsored by The New York Times and United Airlines. n PHOTOS & VIDEO

broadwaycares.org/easterbonnet2012

Bonnet Design Winner.......................................... Mamma Mia!

Top Fundraiser The Book of Mormon ..........................................$286,725

Broadway First Runner-up Second Runner-up Third Runner-up Fourth Runner-up

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.... $231,997 Wicked......................................... $204,777 The Phantom of the Opera.......... $144,899 How to Succeed in Business...... $144,179

National Touring Shows Top Fundraiser First Runner-up Second Runner-up Third Runner-up Fourth Runner-up

Wicked – Emerald City................ $280,504 Wicked – Munchkinland............. $166,434 Les Misérables............................. $158,816 American Idiot ............................. $141,661 Mamma Mia! ............................... $128,033

Broadway Play Top Fundraiser

Other Desert Cities ........................$71,965

Off-Broadway Top Fundraiser First Runner-up

Rent ...............................................$38,265 Avenue Q........................................$30,094

51 Companies Raised $3,677,855 [behind the] scenes 13


XIX International aids conference

L

Activists Attend with BC/EFA Support

aurel Sprague has lived with HIV for more than 20 years. Always shunning the label of “victim,” she’s trained her focus on becoming an educator, a researcher, an ardent advocate, a tireless activist. And last summer, she shared her increasingly passionate voice at the largest health conference in the world, courtesy of a scholarship from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Sprague was among more than 24,000 people whose lives are directly affected by AIDS who converged on Washington to discuss and debate, recharge and reconnect at the XIX International AIDS Conference. Broadway Cares awarded $117,800 in grants to support four important initiatives which ensured that more than 1,600 advocates could be in attendance and actively participate in the event. “It was an amazing chance to feel valued and supported in the work I do,” said the Michigan-based Sprague, who serves as regional coordinator for The Global Network of People Living with HIV, North America. “The conference provided some much needed laughter, love and breaks from the stigma and isolation that HIV brings, even to me. I saw people living with HIV making a difference in the sessions by providing much-needed perspectives on how to make the research meaningful on the ground, where it really matters.” Held biennially at rotating locations around the world, the International AIDS Conference is the premier meeting for those working in the field of or living with HIV/AIDS, as well as policy makers and others committed to ending the pandemic. The 2012 conference was the first to be held in the United States in 22 years. The conference featured breakout sessions, professional workshops and the Global Village, the largest area of the conference that

14 [behind the] scenes

offered exhibitions, performances and networking. The AIDS Memorial Quilt also was on display, stretching from Capitol Hill to the Washington Monument. Sprague was one of 29 delegates from the United States who received full scholarships from Broadway Cares to attend the conference, give presentations, discuss advances and rally on the Capitol. Additionally, 1,600 more advocates and activists from across the country were able to travel to Washington thanks to special funding from BC/EFA. “Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS was eager to make it possible for a number of activists, people living with HIV/AIDS and, in particular, those working with the more than 450 AIDS service organizations we fund domestically to attend the event who likely would not otherwise have been able to go,” Executive Director Tom Viola said.


Working with the International AIDS Society, Broadway Cares awarded full scholarships to the 29 participants from domestic AIDS service providers funded by BC/EFA’s national grants program. These delegates hailed from across the United States and included health workers and advocates, physicians and counselors, caseworkers and activists. “It was the first AIDS conference I’d attended, so I took advantage of the opportunity to take in the culture, the information and the personality of the event,” said delegate Caitlin Margaret Kelly, an artist and activist from Colorado. “The Global Village itself was a celebration, a collection of ideas and innovations set in a stimulating atmosphere.”

“ Now we need to focus more of our attention on the social aspects of HIV.… Barriers to accessing care have to be addressed.” – Jay Conner, San Diego, CA Jay Conner, a delegate from Christie’s Place in San Diego, saw the Global Village as the heart of the conference. “It was the perfect place to network and gather information and best practices in a personalized setting,” she said. Other delegates sponsored by Broadway Cares chaired meetings on HIV stigma reduction, wrote daily summaries for the conference website, gave presentations on infection prevention and exhibited photography of those living with HIV and AIDS.

Bienestar Human Services in Los Angeles received an invitation to collaborate with the Arkansas Health Department. “I am happy to be able to help others and to hopefully prevent new HIV infections with my testimony in this community,” Valerio said. Melissa Hope Ditmore, part of the Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center in New York City, used the conference to build a dialogue with government representatives from Washington and Atlanta. These contacts are critical to promoting evidence-based, effective HIV interventions for her clients. “The support from Broadway Cares made it possible for me to participate in events linking this conference to other important projects around the country,” Ditmore said. Conner, the San Diego delegate, found the experience energizing. “Now we need to focus more of our attention on the social aspects of HIV,” she said. “We can’t expect a person living with HIV or AIDS to get into care and maintain retention without their basic needs being met. Housing, food and a stable income are among some of the necessities of life that are a major part of this epidemic. Barriers to accessing care have to be addressed.” Kelly, the Colorado artists and activist, said she left the conference believing she’s making a difference. “It is a shot of confidence,” she said, “full of great connections that will only help our work grow.” n PHOTOS

broadwaycares.org/aids2012

Support from Broadway Cares also went to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles. The Chicago representatives co-chaired the conference committee charged with programming presenters for the week and led discussions on harm reduction, social justice and policy leadership. The Black AIDS Institute served as a wire service for media organizations around the world while producing two daily publications during the conference and leading 26 events, including a two-day managing-a-mentor program connecting treatment advocates with scientists and clinicians. For Philip Bulterys, a delegate and Ph.D. candidate at the UCLACaltech Medical Scientist Training Program, the week was stimulating. “The confluence of different fields, perspectives and approaches of people attending the conference, with the unified goal of ending HIV, was a huge source of inspiration for me,” Bulterys said. “It is great encouragement for me to continue tackling scientific and public health problems related to HIV.” By participating in the Global Village, delegate Silvia Valerio of

Photos courtesy of POZ/Jennifer Morton and Joan Lobis Brown

A BC/EFA grant to Health GAP in New York City helped fund the “We Can End AIDS” mobilization effort. This initiative allowed more than 1,500 activists from seven Midwestern states to fill 31 buses so they could attend the conference and call for further investment in domestic AIDS treatment, prevention and services.

[behind the] scenes 15


2012 National grants

With Government Support Waning, BC/EFA Grants Help Keep Essential Social Services Accessible

I

n letters and grant requests from AIDS and family service providers across the country, the message is the same:

“As federal HIV/AIDS dollars continue to be cut…”

“The state department of health has eliminated funding for home food deliveries for our clients with HIV/AIDS…” “Our agency received a mandatory 10 percent cut to its budget…” The continuing economic crisis has forced them to tighten belts, even as demand for their services increases. “We are serving a record number of clients so your gift is even more needed and appreciated,” wrote Charles W. Gehring, president and CEO of LifeCare Alliance in Columbus, OH. Because of this tremendous and growing need, the extraordinary generosity of the theatre community and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS supporters has made an even bigger difference this year as Broadway Cares announced grants totaling $10,856,755 – the largest annual amount ever awarded. Of that total, $5,677,160 was distributed to a record 490 AIDS and family service providers across the country. Another $4,625,000 went to support the vital programs of The Actors Fund, which provide a critical safety net of social services to tens of thousands in the entertainment industry in times of need, crisis and 16 [behind the] scenes

transition. The remaining grants were awarded to international organizations with direct ties to the Broadway community. “We will never begin to replace the tremendous losses in public and private funding for these desperately needed programs,” Broadway Cares Executive Director Tom Viola said. “But we must try to help with their immediate shortterm needs so these essential social service agencies are able to focus on long-term challenges.” In Fort Worth, Texas, the financial drain was rough on AIDS Outreach Center. While dealing with its own drop in federal and state funding support – including a 50 percent decrease for nutrition services and a 40 percent decrease for case management – the 26-year-old center found itself flooded with new clients, the result of two other area organizations closing their doors. The $7,500 grant they received from Broadway Cares meant the center could serve more than 3,750 healthy meals that its clients would not have otherwise received.


The AIDS Outreach Center grant was part of the third of three annual grant rounds that make up BC/EFA’s National Grants Program. In July, 324 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide were awarded $1,857,500 during this grant round. For Positive Connections in Topeka, KS, the $7,500 grant was a lifeline for one of its programs. “Broadway Cares has become the only funding source that supports the direct emergency financial assistance of our clients,” said Executive Director Debbie Guilbault. “Without this funding Positive Connections would be unable to provide the assistance it does for our most needy clients.”

“We’re so grateful for the grant. We will soon be putting additional tables and chairs on our screened-in porch to accommodate the ongoing overflow.” And Cody Patton, executive director of Positive Directions in Wichita, KS, said: “We certainly can’t do this alone and are always so grateful for the help of others. BC/EFA is a godsend this year. You truly will make a difference in the lives of many.” n STATE BY STATE

broadwaycares.org/grantsbystate

In the first round of grants in January for food service and meal delivery programs, BC/EFA awarded $1,507,500 to 125 organizations. In March, 41 nationally recognized AIDS service organizations, health clinics and advocacy organizations received $740,000. And while the grants can only go so far in filling the gap left by decreasing public, foundation and corporate support, the recipients are universal with their gratitude. “Our meal program is more needed than ever,” said Jill Rips, deputy executive director of San Antonio AIDS Foundation.

The AIDS service providers supported through the third grant round address specific and serious challenges for hundreds of thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS across the country. This grant round covers four categories.

Direct Services Grants

Emergency Assistance Grants

$640,000 •112 Social Service Agencies

irect Services includes programs that assist D individuals living with HIV/AIDS with a wide range of needs including general case management, assistance with public benefits and disability payments, supportive housing programs, transportation services to doctors visits and recovery meetings, and direct expenses such as personal care items.

Harm Reduction Services Grants $370,000 • 43 Organizations in collaboration with the M•A•C AIDS Fund

These grants help fund projects focusing on injection drug users and others struggling with addition who are HIV-positive or at high-risk for HIV infection. Harm reduction is an important HIV prevention measure seeking to reduce new infections. Statistics prove that many who come to harm reduction services connect with other social services as a result. As the chaos surrounding their lives is reduced, some take the first steps toward recovery.

$682,000 • 119 Social Service Agencies

hese grants include emergency or short-term T support for utilities, rent, food vouchers, transportation or short-term health insurance premium support for people living with HIV/AIDS. These vital grants often bridge the gap in time between someone’s initial illness and when public benefits or disability payments begin.

Quality of Life Grants $165,000 • 45 Organizations

Quality of Life grants provide financial support to programs for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, including group outings, art and hobby supplies, pet support, recreational activities and summer camps for children. While these efforts may not appear as substantial as our grant-making on nutrition, housing and health care, they make a profound difference in the lives of families and children for whom these simple pleasures are otherwise impossible. [behind the] scenes 17


In 2

National grants MAP “At REACH Camp, we look forward to providing children with HIV/AIDS and their families an escape into a carefree world,” explained REACH’s Patricia Askren. “Camp represents a freedom from judgment and a time to meet others experiencing similar life challenges. As one child expressed with anticipation, ‘There’s Christmas and then there’s REACH Camp!”’

Serving one of every four Minnesotans living with HIV/ AIDS, Aliveness Project is the state’s largest single provider of food and nutritional services for HIV-positive individuals. One client, whose rapid weight loss after a lymphoma diagnosis complicated her HIV treatment, now relies on Aliveness to ensure she has healthy meals and proper nutrition each day.

REACH Ministries

Aliveness Project

Minneapolis, MN • Grant: $7,500

Tacoma, WA • Grant: $2,500

San Francisco The Daily Bread Express program at Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon relies on volunteer drivers to deliver meals each weekday to HIV-positive clients who are homebound or unable to walk or stand for long periods of time. The grant helps ensure nutritious meals and groceries reach those in the Portland area.

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Portland, OR • Grant: $5,000

Black Americans represent 13 percent of the U.S. population but account for 45 percent of all people living with HIV. A lack of early testing makes them seven times more likely to become infected with HIV. The Institute works to increase HIV testing and awareness while helping community organizations develop effective partnerships with clinical providers.

The Black AIDS Institute Los Angeles, CA • Grant: $20,000

Los Angeles

Without proper dental care, opportunistic oral infections can quickly take advantage of a weakened immune system and threaten the overall health of HIVpositive individuals. Howard Dental Center offers comprehensive oral health care to adults and children living with HIV/AIDS, 90 percent of whom live in poverty and receive free care.

Howard Dental Center Denver, CO • Grant: $5,000

Legacy was the first HIV testing site in Texas and the second in the country. Houston has almost 75 percent of all reported AIDS cases in the state of Texas, keeping Legacy’s five clinic locations busy as they serve more than 44,000 clients per year.

Legacy Community Health Services Houston, TX • Grant: $20,000


2012, BC/EFA awarded $5,677,160 to 490 AIDS and family service organizations.

$1,507,500

$1,914,100

$2,255,560

Food Service and Meal Delivery Programs

Nationally Recognized AIDS Service, Advocacy Organizations and Others

Local AIDS Service Organizations and Emergency Grants

Expanded Meal Programs - $912,500 Meal Delivery Programs - $595,000 Food Pantries, Congregate Meal Services and Delivered Meal Programs

Nationally Recognized ASOs - $740,000 Theatre Service Organizations - $897,300 International AIDS Conference - $117,800 AIDS Research (amfAR and IAVI) - $105,000 Physician Volunteers for the Arts - $54,000

Emergency Assistance - $682,000 Direct Services - $640,000 Substance and Harm Reduction Services - $370,000 Quality of Life - $165,000 Emergency Grants - $398,560

AIDS Care helps clients during the critical period when they are waiting to be approved for housing and assistance. The support helps fund the Family AIDS Center for Treatment and Support, which includes a nursery for eight children, Sunrise Home for 10 adults and 140 supportive living apartments.

AIDS Care Ocean State

Providence, RI • Grant: $5,000

New York

For clients like Judith, who is living with AIDS, Moveable Feast’s healthy meal deliveries means no longer looking in dumpsters for food. “And they do so much more for me than juist food,” she said. “The people who bring the food are angels. It just makes me feel so loved.”

Moveable Feast

Baltimore, MD • Grant: $35,000

Doorways provides a life-saving service to HIV-positive homeless people, filling a gap with a supportive housing facility that helps clients continue getting the care they desperately need. The grant helps cover transportation costs to off-site medical and social services.

West Alabama AIDS Outreach serves a 10-county area where 99 percent of the clients live below the poverty level. “We’re providing life-sustaining medications, paying utility bills and purchasing essentials like refrigerators and space heaters,” Executive Director Billy Kirkpatrick said. “The BC/EFA grant has made a difference in our ability to help our most vulnerable citizens.”

Doorways

St. Louis, MO • Grant: $7,500

West Alabama AIDS Outreach

Tuscaloosa, AL • Grant: $10,000


broadway bares xxIi

Sold-out Show Delivers a $1,254,176 Happy Ending

B

roadway Bares XXII: Happy Endings, a fairytale evening of modern-day burlesque featuring 227 of New York’s sexiest dancers, made history for the third year in a row, this year raising a record-breaking $1,254,176 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This year’s edition transformed our favorite fairytales into crazy-hot, come-to-life stories as told by a bevy of Broadway’s best performers. From a saucy Snow White, an airborne Sleeping Beauty, an ornery Pinocchio and outrageous Pied Piper, Broadway Bares XXII spun the classics into contemporary fantasy as more than 6,000 people packed Roseland Ballroom for two sold-out performances on June 17. With this year’s record total, the 22 editions of Broadway Bares have raised more than $9.8 million for Broadway Cares. No Bares fairytale could be complete without a bare-chested, tightshort-wearing, lovelorn protagonist. Taking command of that role was Kyle Dean Massey, who was woven into this year’s tale as a young man searching for his own happily-ever-after. In an elaborate opening number, Miriam Shor from TV’s GCB appeared as Massey’s fairy godmother. Backed by her “Damnettes” and singing the show-stopping, double-entendre-filled original song “Happy Endings,” written by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar,

20 [behind the] scenes

Shor turned to an “enchanted book” to show Massey that every fairy tale deserves a happy ending. And with that, the journey began. Grasan Kingsberry portrayed an “evil queen,” surrounded by succulent sycophants and obsessed with his own rock-solid image in the hard-driving “Mirror Mirror.” “Puss in Boots” celebrated woman power as Candice Monet McCall transformed into a cat-like diva leading an all-female gang that encountered a well-heeled posse of boot-wearing, shirtless men led by Charlie Sutton. As “Goldilocks,” an adorably sexy Andy Mills found more than just three bears as a stage full of hairy grizzlies surrounded him with more than hibernating on the mind. The Broadway Bares’ version of “The Pied Piper,” played by Marty Lawson, rousted an all male, kilt-clad ensemble. A leggy and sultry Snow White appeared in the form of Nikka Lanzarone, who strutted over her eager dwarfs in a sexy striptease. The ultimate puppet master found himself on the wrong end of Pinocchio, whose nose was not the only appendage to grow as mischievously portrayed by Matthew Skrincosky. Reed Kelly brilliantly led 28 exuberant dancers in a show-stopping, Bollywoodinspired interpretation of “Aladdin,” complete with three aerialists spinning from a giant genie bottle above the stage. A playfully sexy


version of “Rapunzel” put big-haired, scantily clad buxom ladies center stage. “Sleeping Beauty” became an intimate, exotic dance with three couples, draped in white swaths of fabric gliding romantically overhead, each in a breathtaking, aerial pas de deux. The story of “The Ugly Duckling” took on bullying as Brandon Rubendall helped Adar Wellington embrace both her inner and outer beauty. Evita’s Rachel Potter led the full Broadway Bares company in a high-energy finale, ”Happily Ever After,” which offered its own storybook ending of John Carroll magically arriving as Massey’s Prince Charming. Making special appearances during the evening were Academy Award-nominee Jennifer Tilly as Massey’s evil stepmother and notorious New York drag queen Lady Bunny. Judith Light, this year’s Tony Award winner for her role in Other Desert Cities, saluted the dancers and the event’s sponsors. A longtime friend and supporter of BC/EFA, Light reminded the audience: “Safe sex is hot sex. And we can best love each other by always remembering to protect each other.” She was

joined onstage by Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who created Broadway Bares in 1992 and serves as executive producer. Presenting sponsor M•A•C VIVA GLAM delivered a $250,000 check, presented by Nancy Mahon, senior vice president of M•A•C Cosmetics and global executive director of the M•A•C AIDS Fund. She also saluted the extraordinary skills of 91 M•A•C make-up artists who volunteered on the show. More than 200 people participated in Strip-a-thon, an online fundraising competition among Bares XXII cast, crew and supporters that raised an astonishing $302,022. Seventeen incredible choreographers created the fairytale stories onstage, including director Lee Wilkins, associate director Michael Lee Scott, John Alix, Armando Farfan Jr., Peter Gregus, Nick Kenkel, Dontee Kiehn, Marc Kimelman, Stephanie Klemons, Lorin Latarro, Ryan Lyons, Derek Mitchell, Mark Myars,

Brandon Perayda, Josh Rhodes, Charlie Williams and Kristin Beth Williams. As production stage manager, BC/EFA’s Kimberly Russell led an exceptional stage management team of 32. Their tireless efforts were joined by an outstanding crew of hundreds of designers, technicians and volunteers onstage, backstage, under the stage, upstairs in the VIP area and front-ofhouse. In addition to Broadway Bares XXII presenting sponsor M•A•C VIVA GLAM, generous support came from corporate sponsors The New York Times and United Airlines, as well as Absolut Vodka, DIRECTV, Dkoye The Product, Get Gay Chauffeur, Here Media, Kimpton Hotels, Mark Fisher Fitness, Marriott Marquis New York, Next Magazine, Showtime Networks and the Zarley Family Foundation. n

PHOTOS & VIDEO

broadwaycares.org/bares2012

[behind the] scenes 21


A A

STARTAR-STUDDED TUDDED PET PET ADOPTION ADOPTION EVENT EVENT

broadway barks 14 D BBYY OSSTTEED HHO

SA T

Y DDA YY 14, 20 12 UR JJUULL SHUBERT ALLEY 3:00-6:30 P.M.

BERNADETTE BERNADETTE PETERS PETERS AND

MARY MARY TYLER TYLER MOORE MOORE WITH WITH FELLOW FELLOW PET-LOVERS PET-LOVERS

NINA ARIANDA · TRACIE BENNETT · BILL BERLONI

TO BENEFIT THE SHELTERS STEPHANIE J. BLOCK · JACKIE BURNS · MICHAEL CERVERIS CHANLER-BERAT · MICHAEL CUMPSTY · JOHN DOSSETT AND RESCUE GROUPS OF ADAMTOM EDDEN · MARTYN ELLIS · RICHARD FLEESHMAN

TH ’S E M AYO RR A LLIA N C E

MONTEGO GLOVER · JOEL GREY · JULIE HALSTON · MEGAN HILTY JEREMY JORDAN · CAROL KANE · JUDY KAYE · STEVE KAZEE CELIA KEENAN-BOLGER · CLAIRE LAMS · ANGELA LANSBURY

DICK LATESSA · LINDA LAVIN · CAISSIE LEVY · NORM LEWIS KARA LINDSAY · AUDRA MCDONALD · JUDY MCLANE

MICHAEL MCGRATH · CRISTIN MILIOTI · RITA MORENO BEBE NEUWIRTH · RORY O’MALLEY · NANCY OPEL

BRYCE PINKHAM · DA’VINE JOY RANDOLPH ANDREW RANNELLS · JEMIMA ROOPER · MATT SALDIVAR CHANDRA LEE SCHWARTZ · NATALIE SMITH

SUZIE TOASE · BEN VEREEN · SYNDEE WINTERS AND MANY MORE

WITH A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY

THE CRAZE

BROADWAYCARES.ORG

Broadway’s Furry Friends Find Forever Homes

C

uddly canines and furry felines filled Shubert Alley on July 14 with the return of Broadway Barks, the annual pet adoption event that benefits New York City’s animal shelters.

Barks founders Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters welcomed a throng of animal lovers who squeezed into the Alley for the 14th edition of the event, which included the always-popular, star-studded parade of pets featuring everything from pocket-sized Chihuahuas to nearly horse-sized Great Danes. Broadway legend Angela Lansbury helped Moore and Peters kick-off the festivities by honoring the impact Barks has had over the years. “Thanks to your generosity, they have been able to find homes for hundreds and hundreds of wonderful dogs and cats,” the five-time Tony Award-winner told the crowd. “And together, Bernadette and Mary have made an enormous difference in the lives of New York City animals. They have also made a difference in the lives of the lucky people who are now sharing their homes and hearts with these lucky creatures.” Surrounded by tents and tables from 27 New York area shelters, a plethora of Broadway’s favorite stars turned into pet-walkers-for-theafternoon as they introduced adoptable dogs and cats. Steve Kazee, this year’s Tony winner for best leading actor in a

musical for Once, said it had been a lifelong dream of his to help out at Broadway Barks. “I would come to this all the time when I was in college at NYU,” Kazee said. “And when I was doing Spamalot right there at the Shubert, I’d come out between shows and watch. It’s seriously been a dream of mine forever and I’m so happy I get to finally help out.” Many celebrities are drawn to Broadway Barks because of extraordinary relationships they’ve had with rescue animals. Julie Halston, most recently seen in Anything Goes, rescued a very sickly cat almost 10 years ago, but Harvey is now strong and healthy. “There is nothing like adopting a rescue,” she said. “It’s one of the most gratifying things in the world.” Other presenters included Nina Arianda, Bill Berloni, Jackie Burns, Michael Cerveris, Adam Chanler-Berat, Michael Cumpsty, John Dossett, Tom Edden, Martyn Ellis, Richard Fleeshman, Montego Glover, Joel Grey, Megan Hilty, Angelica Huston, Jeremy Jordan, Carol Kane, Judy Kaye, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Claire Lams, Dick Latessa, Linda Lavin, Caissie Levy, Norm Lewis, Kara Lindsay, Andrea McArdle, Audra McDonald, Michael McGrath, Judy McLane, Cristin Milioti, Rita Moreno, Bebe Neuwirth, Rory O’Malley, Nancy Opel, Bryce Pinkham, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Andrew Rannells, Jemima Rooper, Matt Saldivar, Chandra Lee Schwartz, Natalie Smith, Suzie Toase, Ben Vereen and Syndee Winters. The afternoon began with a special opening performance by The Craze from One Man, Two Guvnors. Funds raised at Broadway Barks are distributed to the participating shelters and groups and to the Picasso Veterinary Fund which helps cover extreme medical costs. Broadway Barks 14, presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and produced by Scott T. Stevens, Patty Saccente and Richard Hester, was sponsored by the ASPCA and The New York Times. n PHOTOS

22 [behind the] scenes

broadwaycares.org/barks2012


bucks county cabaret

Bebe Neuwirth & Malcolm Gets Unite for Magical Night

T

wo Broadway stars and one historic theatre combined for a magical autumn evening of song and even a little dance as stage and screen stars Bebe Neuwirth and Malcolm Gets entertained a sold-out audience October 13 at Bucks County Cabaret, a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The evening at the beautifully restored Bucks County Playhouse, which this summer reclaimed its place as the heart of New Hope, PA, after an exhaustive renovation, raised a remarkable $162,100. Neuwirth and Gets alternated turns at center stage, working their way through a songbook that included Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Noël Coward and more. Neuwirth shined as she tapped into songs that helped shape her life and career. She began with a slinky version of “All The Jazz” from Chicago, a role that won Neuwith the second of her two Tony Awards (the first was for Sweet Charity). She sprinkled her set with other Broadway classics and standards, including a moving version of Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Mr. Bojangles,” often gliding into graceful dance poses, giving the audience just a hint of the incredible dancer she is. “I grew up in New Jersey, just down the road in Princeton, and I never got the chance to perform here at this jewel of a theatre,” Neuwirth told the audience between songs. “So it is a huge, huge honor and kick to finally be able to perform here. And to do it for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is just wonderful.” Gets, a Tony Award nominee for Amour, showed his versatility by not only singing, but also taking a turn at the piano for a few songs. He offered the hilarious Hoagy Carmichael ditty “Huggin’ and Chalkin’,” which was written by Clancy Hayes, and a medley of Sondheim’s “Another Hundred People” and “So Many People.” He closed his portion of the program with a simple and stirring rendition of “The Sound of Music.”

Neuwirth closed the show with Frank Loesser’s “Slow Boat to China” and a rousing rendition of Kander and Ebb’s “But the World Goes ‘Round,” which launched an enthusiastic standing ovation for both performers. Neuwirth was accompanied by her music director Scott Cady; Gets was accompanied by music director Alex Rybeck. Following the performance, BC/EFA’s favorite auctioneer, Lorna Kelly, led a spirited live auction that included VIP experiences at Broadway Bares, The Book of Mormon and Neuwirth’s upcoming Golden Age, as well as a private in-home concert from Gets. The evening began with cocktails for all outside the playhouse and concluded with a VIP reception at The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm. Bucks County, located about 90 minutes from New York City, has a history of support for those affected by HIV/AIDS. For seven years, the community supported Bucks County Cabaret and Broadway Cares is honored to become the beneficiary of the eighth edition of the spectacularly entertaining evening. The Bucks County Cabaret Committee was chaired by David R. McShane. Its members were Scott Bass, Drew Desky, Bob Egan, Regan Hofmann, Jay Johnson & Irwin Weiner, Greg Kammerer & Fred White, Louis Licitra, John Moeller Jr., Pamela Morrison, John Rowe & Stephen Noonan, Ken Schaefer, Sam & Happy Shipley, Ron Strouse and David Witchell. Bucks County Cabaret was sponsored by The New York Times, Showtime Networks and United Airlines. n

PHOTOS

broadwaycares.org/buckscountycabaret

[behind the] scenes 23


Fire Island Dance Festival 18

Grace, Humor, Artistry Take Center Stage

F

ire Island Dance Festival returned to Fire Island Pines for its 18th awe-inspiring edition, raising a record-breaking $374,260 through three weekend performances.

Humorist, actor and writer Mo Rocca hosted the event, which featured an eclectic array of ballet, modern, tap, hip-hop, Broadway and contemporary dance performed outdoors against the stunning backdrop of the Great South Bay. The festival was presented July 20-22 and included five new works, choreographed by Rob Ashford, Monica Bill Barnes, Rennie Harris, Edwaard Liang and Lizzie MacKenzie, created for the festival with generous support by nine choreographic sponsors. This year’s fundraising total surpassed the previous record, set just last year, by more than $30,000. In its 18 incarnations, Fire Island Dance Festival has raised more than $2.9 million. “It doesn’t seem that long ago that we first came out to Fire Island Pines and raised $8,000 with 10 performers on a makeshift dance floor,” Denise Roberts Hurlin, founding director of Dancers Responding to AIDS, said. “And the reasons we do it today are just as strong and resonant as they were 18 years ago. 24 [behind the] scenes

We’re fighting to end the stigma that surrounds this disease and to make sure that no one facing these intense personal challenges does so in isolation or shame.” This year’s festival featured a piece created especially for the event by Ashford, the Tony Award-winning choreographer and director whose most recent work can be seen in the hit Broadway revival of Evita. The piece illuminated the evolution of a couple’s relationship, seen through four pairs of dancers. Ballet Hispanico, the nation’s preeminent Latino dance organization, debuted “A Verme,” an intimate pas de deux choreographed by Liang. Yosvani Ramos, principal artist of The Australian Ballet, owned the stage in a dynamic, contemporary piece, choreographed by MacKenzie, that showcased his strength and power. Sidra Bell Dance New York performed an unconventional male duet from “ReVUE” that explored the power play, resistance and submission in a relationship. David Grenke Performance Projects delivered a reconstructed look at “Vespers,” danced for the first time by two men. Jared Grimes lit up the stage with his charm and a tap number fueled by intricate steps and lightning-fast feet set to the music of


Sammy Davis Jr. MOMIX returned to the festival with a dizzying encore of “Aqua Flora,” a piece that debuted at Fire Island Dance Festival 13. Project Moves Dance Company shocked the audience as five teenage male dancers began their number wearing signs with homophobic slurs. Committed to sharing a powerful message of human respect and acceptance, the company ultimately shed the insulting signs and, in an act of emotional freeing, ripped off tank tops to reveal the word “Human” painted on each of their chests. Monica Bill Barnes & Company opened the show with a quirky dance set to Ike and Tina Turner’s version of “Proud Mary” while Rennie Harris Puremovement brought hip-hop to the festival, closing the show with a layered story set to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” that explored the challenges of breaking out of your circumstances. The Bang Group and Eric Bourne of Parsons Dance presented a special performance July 20 as part of an exclusive festival kickoff event for Leadership Supporters at Whyte Hall.

Rocca, a regular on CBS News Sunday Morning, star of Cooking Channel’s My Grandmother’s Ravioli and a featured panelist on NPR’s hit weekly quiz show Wait, Wait...Don’t Tell Me, brought a healthy dose of wit and satire to the festival. Rocca explained he first became a lover of dance as a teenage usher at the National Theatre in Washington. Demonstrating nimbleness and lightness on his feet, Rocca ran through an agile series of Jellicle dance moves from the show. And later he shared his own dance trick: a one-handed cartwheel while holding a glass of water. Fire Island Dance Festival 18 was generously sponsored by The New York Times, United Airlines, Absolut Vodka, Beaulieu Vineyard, DIRECTV, The Fire Island News, Get Gay Chauffeur, Here Media, Movmnt Magazine, Next Magazine, Pines Bistro, Sayville Ferry Service, Tony’s Barge Service Inc. and Showtime Networks. n PHOTOS & VIDEOS

dradance.org/fireisland18

DRA Launches Its Angels Circle An abundance of springtime optimism and excitement filled the picturesque Tribeca loft in New York City as Dancers Responding to AIDS launched The DRA Angels Circle on May 15. Hosted by longtime DRA and BC/EFA supporters and friends Bonnie Pfeifer Evans and Charlie Evans, Jr., guests delighted in an intimate performance by modern dance sensation Kyle Abraham. The DRA Angels Circle, which started earlier this year, recognizes the generous individuals who make an annual contribution of $1,000 or more unrelated to event or merchandise purchases. In exchange, donors receive VIP status at some of DRA and BC/EFA’s most high-profile events. The

evening raised more than $15,000 for Dancers Responding to AIDS and added nine new angels. For more information about The DRA Angels Circle, please contact Ryan Walls at 212.840.0770, ext. 275 or walls@broadwaycares.org. n [behind the] scenes 25


CLASSICAL ACTION

Christine Brewer and Craig Rutenberg Close 2011-2012 Season of Michael Palm Series

T

he setting created the perfect mood for the evening. On a lush rooftop garden in New York’s Tribeca neighborhood, supporters of Classical Action sipped wine as the sun began to set, casting city shadows on the iconic Woolworth Building and One World Trade Center in the distance. A few minutes later, in hosts Simon Yates and Kevin Roon’s spacious loft, music replaced nature’s beauty as the evening’s focus when Grammy Award-winning soprano Christine Brewer and pianist Craig Rutenberg took center stage May 17 for the final performance of the 2011-2012 Michael Palm Series. It was a rare opportunity to see Brewer perform. Twenty years ago, she drastically limited her operatic engagements to spend more time at home in Illinois while her daughter was in school. While her opera appearances remain sporadic, she now concentrates on orchestral concerts and recitals. A good portion of the evening’s program, announced from the stage, had been performed by Brewer and Rutenberg just days earlier at a Mother’s Day concert at Alice Tully Hall, making this intimate encounter all the more special for the sold-out audience. While the program was dominated by English and American songs, Brewer and Rutenberg opened the evening with German composer Richard Wagner. Brewer’s sumptuous voice, ideally suited to the Wagner repertory, sounded glorious during the 20-minute “Wesendonck Lieder.” 26 [behind the] scenes

After a brief intermission, Brewer and Rutenberg returned with “Cabaret Songs” by composer Benjamin Britten, including the haunting “Funeral Blues.” That was followed by songs written by one of the great 20th century composers, Harold Arlen, including “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “I Had Myself a True Love” and a stunning rendition of “Happiness is Just a Thing Called Joe” from the 1943 movie A Cabin in the Sky. Rutenberg, a frequent collaborator with Brewer, played with delicacy and grace throughout the evening. As an encore, Brewer offered “My Long Life,” the final aria from The Mother of Us All, an opera by Virgil Thomson to a libretto by Gertrude Stein. Already becoming her signature song, it was simultaneously majestic and tender. It was an astonishing end to the evening, leaving many in the audience teary-eyed and on their feet for an extended ovation. The Michael Palm Series is generously underwritten by the Michael Palm Foundation and is sponsored by United Airlines and Beaulieu Vineyard. n

PHOTOS

classicalaction.org


Education and outreach

High School Thespians’ Efforts Top $1 Million

N

early 3,000 high school thespians erupted into cheers when Joe Norton, Broadway Cares’ director of education and outreach, surprised them at their national festival June 28, 2012, with the news they had crossed a major milestone: the International Thespian Society has now raised more than $1 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The thespians, the student faction of the Educational Theatre Association, are consistently Broadway Cares’ strongest supporters in schools, raising more money than any other student organization. Thousands of thespians get involved each year.

“ You are making such an incredible difference in the world. You’re changing the lives of so many people.” – Joe Norton “Thespians know how to affect change by working together and celebrating their love of theatre,” Norton said. “And, in the process, they become leaders who raise awareness about HIV/AIDS where they live, while making a difference for so many people in need in their local communities and around the country.” Student thespians across the country support Broadway Cares by hosting audience appeals, bucket brigades, silent auctions and special performances in their schools. Increasingly, student officers incorporate Broadway Cares fundraising at their state festivals, where thousands of thespians contribute each year. Through August 2012, Thespians have raised $1,012,807 for Broadway Cares. “These talented students combine their creativity and boundless energy with a genuine sense of caring for one another,” said Broadway Cares Executive Director Tom Viola. “They know that theatre is about so much more than just performing. It’s about coming together as a community and this next generation of inspirational actors are leading by example, not only for their classmates but for all of us.”

The partnership between the International Thespian Society and Broadway Cares grew from a single school’s community service project in 1999. The enthusiasm that started in Troupe 5464 at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA, spread to other schools and by the end of the first year, troupes in nine states raised more than $10,000. Now, thespians from almost every state are actively involved and making a difference on behalf of Broadway Cares. At the festival, Norton thanked the EdTA staff and board of directors for approving the project nationally when first approached by student leaders in 2000. Just like BC/EFA’s support on Broadway, all student participation is voluntary. Norton also praised the thespians’ teachers for inspiring their students to get involved. “I have found so many heroes who fight for us on a daily basis. They do so much to make sure that they can show you a world that could be and a world that should be,” he said. “Of course, I’m talking about the teachers who brought you here today. You are my true heroes.” And Norton encouraged the young actors to stay committed to their efforts. “You are making such an incredible difference in the world,” he said. “You’re changing the lives of so many people.” n

Top 10 Fundraising States Florida ........................... $374,856

California .......................... $37,435

Nevada .......................... $124,870

New Jersey ...................... $34,100

Pennsylvania .................... $89,878

Colorado .......................... $34,096

Georgia ............................. $86,291

Missouri ............................ $30,507

Ohio .................................. $48,014

New York .......................... $22,368

LEARN MORE

broadwaycares.org/educationoutreach [behind the] scenes 27


BEYOND THE FOOTLIGHTS Giving for Others on a Special Day

I

n a small Midwestern temple and a luxury hotel overlooking Times Square, the most personal of days became tributes to those less fortunate.

As the sun rose over Carmel, Indiana, on a warm Saturday in July, friends and family of Joseph Mervis descended on Congregation Shaarey Tefilla. But what took place during the next 12 hours was no typical Bar Mitzvah. During the service, Joseph set traditional prayers to show tunes like “Music of the Night” from The Phantom of the Opera and “Another Day/No Day But Today” from Rent. Broadway had arrived in Carmel. Then, hours after the service ended, another performance began. Joseph hosted a concert featuring some of his most talented friends to help raise money for Broadway Cares, offering autographed Broadway show posters as incentive for the evening’s biggest donors. Joseph’s passion for musicals and tireless hard work brought about more than $1,500 in contributions for BC/EFA. “That Saturday night was seriously one of the best nights of my life,” he said. “Now I know we’re only talking about 13 years here!” A few months earlier in New York City, Art Kliewer and John Fails

celebrated another kind of special day: their wedding. Nowhere to be found, however, were the usual stacks of neatly wrapped boxes with bows. In lieu of wedding gifts, guests were asked to make a donation to Broadway Cares. Making contributions and purchasing autographed memorabilia during BC/EFA’s spring audience appeals had become as much a part of Kliewer and Fails’ annual theatre trip to New York as seeing the shows. The two felt this would be a natural way to celebrate. “After 11-plus years together, we felt the time was right to formalize our relationship,” Kliewer said. “Since New York now offers samesex marriage, we couldn’t think of a better time and place than on the annual theatre pilgrimage. And including Broadway Cares felt like the right thing to do.” Kliewer and Fails’ Broadway-filled wedding raised $5,250. The Bar Mitzvah and wedding are just two of many special occasions so generously shared with Broadway Cares, including birthdays, holiday celebrations and engagement parties. Contributions from these events will help support organizations like the Damien Center in Indiana and hundreds of other AIDS service organizations across the country. n

Pride Run Sets Pace for Giving

S

canning the crowd of nearly 5,000 runners in Central Park, you could see iconic red ribbons pinned to many of their tank tops. While the Front Runners’ annual Pride Run always celebrates the LGBT community, this year it also shined a spotlight on the HIV/AIDS epidemic when Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS was named as the run’s 2012 charitable partner. The June 23 five-mile run raised a pace-setting $28,679 donation for Broadway Cares.

Rock of Ages star and American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis, now starring in the pre-Broadway national tour of Jekyll & Hyde, gave the day a Broadway start with a passionate, crystal-clear rendition of the national anthem.

Also helping to celebrate the day was Rory O’Malley, Tony Award nominee for The Book of Mormon and Pride Run alumnus, who hosted the post-run awards ceremony. Joining O’Malley on stage was Rod, the infamously closeted Republican puppet from Avenue 28 [behind the] scenes

Q, with his roommate Nicky and his pumped-up puppet boyfriend Ricky, with human counterparts Rob Morrison, Darren Bluestone and Jed Resnick, offering a special performance of “If You Were Gay” from the Tony Award-winning show. “I can’t imagine any greater accomplishment then to have produced the 2012 Front Runner New York Pride Run,” said Dane Grams, race director & BC/EFA Leadership Council member, ”except to have been able to use the event to raise nearly $30,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.” n


Audemars Piguet Presents “Jersey Boys Unplugged”

S

ince 2010, Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet has been an outstanding supporter of Broadway Cares, raising more than $700,000 in support of our efforts.

In June, following the success of an exclusive dinner and fundraiser in 2011 featuring performances from Memphis, Audemars Piguet President and CEO Francois-Henry Bennahmias once again welcomed 40 guests to their elegant flagship showroom to enjoy exquisite cuisine and a special performance from the long-running hit Jersey Boys. Hosted by the show’s celebrated book writer, Rick Elice, Broadway company members Matt Bogart, Andy Karl, Dominic Scaglione, Jr. and Quinn VanAntwerp performed “Jersey Boys Unplugged.” The evening raised $100,000 for Broadway Cares and saluted the contributions of Givenik to BC/EFA and a multitude of other charitable organizations. Also in June, Audemars partnered with BC/EFA for the third consecutive year to present one-of-a-kind clocks on the red carpet at The Tony Awards. Eight clocks represented the season’s nominees for Best Musical and Best Revival of a Musical and were decorated by the company from each, representing the unique spirit of their show. The method of decoration varies from show to show and has included paint, fabric, photographs, sequins and even miniature guitars. In addition to the nominee clocks, each year a special Tony Awards clock is signed by all of the nominees. This year’s Tony clock was signed by Tony Award-winners Nina Arianda, Christian Borle, James Corden, Christopher Gattelli, Judy Kaye, Steve Kazee, Judith Light, Audra McDonald, Michael McGrath, Alan Menken, Mike Nichols and many more. n

Talkbacks Offer Unique Behind-the-scenes Experience

I

t’s a simple question: “How do you keep a show fresh eight times a week?”

Since 1995, Broadway Cares, in cooperation with The Broadway League, has been asking that question – and hundreds of others – as part of a unique program of post-show talkbacks. The program offers an opportunity for corporate groups to meet with a show’s cast members and key behind-the-scenes personnel immediately after a performance in exchange for a donation to Broadway Cares.

On Broadway, Mike Faist of Newsies recently told a group from IBM he tries not to over-think it. Having been in the cast since the original production at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse in 2011, he says: “What keeps it fresh is the audience. We come out and it’s like a rock concert! We feed off that energy every night.” At a talkback in Houston with the cast of The Lion King, Ntomb’khona Dlamini said it’s the spirit backstage and how they welcome new cast and crew that keeps it fresh for her. Originally from South Africa, Dlamini has been with the show since its first preview in 1997. She’s performed the show on Broadway and is

now part of its national tour. Then, she gave the group from IBM a sample of that spirit, a spontaneous, full-voiced rendition of the show-opening “The Circle of Life,” blowing away the talkback guests and eliciting a fervent round of applause. For more information on talkbacks on Broadway or with national tours across the country, contact Frank Conway at 212.840.0770, ext. 272 or conway@broadwaycares.org. n

[behind the] scenes 29


Affiliate Organizations of Broadway cares Making a Difference for Arts, Equality & the Environment

L

ife-changing movements often start simply from the will to make a difference. That’s how Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS began 25 years ago. Today, as passionate and compassionate movements grow within the theatre community, BC/EFA has embraced the opportunity to provide these causes a home within the Broadway Cares family. Rather than risk having the community’s talents and efforts pulled in too many different directions and in an effort to avoid start-up and duplication of administrative costs, BC/EFA has fostered and offered a home to an extraordinary collection of initiatives. These organizations have united the Broadway community in a collective and powerful effort and engine for social change and doing good. From empowering students and fighting for equal rights for the LGBT community to bringing the power of the arts to underserved children and families, these programs work to make a difference every day. And by

supporting these service programs, Broadway Cares is able to more deeply connect new audiences to the important work of helping those living with HIV/AIDS. “As we share the resources made available to us by the theatre community’s amazing efforts, supporting these programs keeps the community engaged with us as fundraisers,” BC/EFA Executive Director Tom Viola said. “It compliments my very strong belief that when you share resources you create an environment where there will be more resources. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.” Broadway Cares partners with four affiliate organizations: Artists Striving to End Poverty, R.Evolución Latina, Broadway Impact and Broadway Green Alliance. Taking the original Broadway Cares mission to heart, each affiliate is finding new, vital ways to empower others, in the theatre community and beyond.

Artists Striving to End Poverty | asteponline.org As music director on Broadway’s Next to Normal and The Addams Family, Mary-Mitchell Campbell has collaborated with the theatre’s finest directors, composers and performers. As founder and executive director of Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP), she and other theatre professionals use their artistry to transform the lives of underserved youth, at sites in the U.S. and around the world. Last summer, at Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project outside Bangalore, India Campbell led a faculty of actors and musicians, many of whom frequently grace the stages and orchestra pits of Broadway. Summer Boggess took a break from playing in the pit of The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess to teach cello lessons. Elizabeth Stanley, last seen on Broadway in Million Dollar Quartet, taught choir, piano and voice lessons. The classes are a melting pot of cultures, as students and instructors combine their experiences to create the curriculum. Bhangra and Bollywood dances are taught alongside break dancing. Songs from Wicked and Rent are used to open up conversations about family dynamics and HIV-prevention.

R.Evolución Latina | revolucionlatina.org For five days last summer, nearly 200 students “dared to go beyond” with R.Evolución Latina. Taking over the halls of Pearl Studios in midtown Manhattan, the Dare 2 Go Beyond Children’s Performing Arts Camp filled the studios with the sounds of children and filled the students with inspiration and hope. Now in its fifth edition, the arts camp welcomed kids from across the New York City area. Students took classes in music, dance and the performing arts, while learning valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance and self-awareness. This year’s volunteer teaching artists included cast members from The Book 30 [behind the] scenes 30

ASTEP, which also provides education in New York, Florida, Africa and Ecuador, hopes to do more than simply inspire future dancers and musicians. In all of its after school, weekend and summer arts education programs, ASTEP aspires to foster creative minds and imaginative thinkers to find ways to empower their communities. “We’re not teaching kids to become artists, but teaching them to think like artists,” Campbell said. “Using imagination to problem solve is imperative to breaking cycles of poverty.”


of Mormon, Bring It On: The Musical, Ghost and Disney’s The Lion King.

encouraging artists to experience inspiring growth and, in the process, discover their ability to inspire others.

R.Evolución Latina empowers the Latino community through workshops, camps and productions in eight countries and two U.S. cities. All the programs are free. Co-executive Director Denisse Ambert said R.Evolución Latina embraces “the Circle Effect,”

“We teach a curriculum for life,” said Artistic Director Luis Salgado. “Whether children choose a career in the arts or become lawyers or entrepreneurs, they will carry these life lessons with them.”

Broadway Impact | broadwayimpact.com Building on a successful advocacy and grassroots organizing effort for marriage equality in New York, Broadway Impact created a theatre movement that is being felt across the country and around the world. During California’s Proposition 8 trial, Broadway Impact cofounder Rory O’Malley, a Tony nominee for The Book of Mormon, was inspired to create a piece of theatre that presented the trial in a theatrical way. Initially, O’Malley planned to write the show himself, until a friend connected him with Academy Awardwinning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk, J. Edgar). At their first meeting, Black offered to write the script himself. The result, 8, is based on the actual words of the Prop 8 trial transcripts, as well as first-hand observations of the courtroom drama and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families. Now, since the play’s star-studded premieres on Broadway and in Los Angeles, 80 readings of 8 have been produced with at least 170 more planned. The play has been produced across the country from San Antonio, Texas to Kauai, Hawaii, and spanned

the globe from Sydney, Australia to the University of Zimbabwe. Many readings have taken place on university campuses, igniting a new generation of theatre artists to take a stand. Broadway Impact Executive Director Jenny Kanelos sees 8 as a catalyst to energize the theatrical community: “We want to teach young performers to volunteer, how to be an activist and show them they have a voice.”

Broadway Green Alliance | broadwaygreen.com Turning Broadway “green” is bigger than simply recycling Playbills and plastic cups. It’s changing 500 light bulbs on theater marquees to energy-saving ones that last 50 times longer. It’s giving old costumes and towels a new life. And it’s turning old wine corks, plastic bottles and badminton nets into a Tony Award-winning set. Broadway Green Alliance began in 2008 with a goal of educating, motivating and inspiring the theatre community to make a difference for the environment. Over time, it’s grown into a wave of community empowerment. BGA is working to influence greener practices at all stages of production. The Gel Project, for example, transfers good lighting gel from Broadway shows to regional theaters. Designer Donyale Werle’s commitment to green practices can be seen every night at Broadway’s Peter and the Starcatcher. The set design, which garnered Werle her first Tony Award, incorporates salvaged and recycled materials, including those from her former productions. Even the sawdust created in the scene shop was incorporated into her design. Broadway Green Alliance hosts seminars to teach directors and designers everything from efficiency in lighting design to finding sustainable materials for sets. By sharing knowledge and experience,

BGA is having a positive impact. “Broadway Green Alliance motivates theater professionals to collaborate with each other,” said Susan Sampliner, BGA co-chair and company manager of Broadway’s Wicked. “To me, that’s the essence of Broadway Cares. Everyone coming together to make a difference.”


the Angels Circle 2011-2012 Providing a Sustainable Foundation The following are members of The Angels Circle as of September 30, 2012. Names in bold indicate Broadway Cares Archangels, donors who increased their gift by 25 percent or more over the previous year. Members of The Angels Circle include individuals, family foundations and corporations. Contributions are unrestricted and not related to event or merchandise purchases. On behalf of our volunteers, staff, Board of Trustees and the many men, women and children with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses who count on Broadway Cares for assistance, we salute these donors. In appreciation of an annual contribution of $1,000 or more, Angels receive VIP status at some of Broadway Cares’ most high-profile events, including Gypsy of the Year and the Easter Bonnet Competition, as well as a host of other exciting benefits. There are many ways to become a member of The Angels Circle. You can join as an individual, a couple, a family or even as part of a group of friends, co-workers, fan club or sports league. You can charge your membership on a monthly or quarterly basis. In addition, if your employer matches charitable contributions, a gift of $500 or more can qualify you for membership at the $1,000 level. For more information about the benefits of The Angels Circle, please contact Ryan Walls, major gifts officer, at walls@broadwaycares.org or 212.840.0770, ext. 275.

Producer

gifts of $50,000 and above Bonnie Pfeifer Evans & the Charles Evans Foundation* The Fred Ebb Foundation The Shubert Foundation

Director

gifts from $25,000 to $49,999 Laura M. Boedeker Myrna & Freddie Gershon remember Marvin Hamlisch, Peter Allen, Jerry Bock, Allan Carr, Tom Eyen, Ron Field, Tyler Gatchell, Paul Jabara, Jerry Kravat, Arthur Laurents, Robbie Lantz, Joe Stein & Paul Woerner H. van Ameringen Foundation John W. Holloway The Ted Snowdon Foundation Lizzie & Jonathan M. Tisch

House Seat

gifts from $10,000 to $24,999 Adrienne Arsht The Chapman Family Charitable Trust The Column Awards Gene Dickey William W. Donnell Aaron Frankel in loving memory of Abetha Aayer Frankel George W. Schaeffer Foundation Anita Jaffe Paul Libin & Florence Rowe Libin Newman’s Own Foundation, Inc. Platt Family Foundation in memory of Gary Platt Martin Richards Joshua Safran Thomas Schumacher & Matthew White Hollis Stern Theatrical Stage Employees Local One/IATSE Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 764 IATSE The Tiger Baron Foundation 32 [behind the] scenes

Orchestra Seat

Box Seat

William Morey Phyllis Newman gifts from $5,000 to $9,999 gifts from $2,500 to $4,999 in honor of Adolph Green Paul Oppedisano Sam Altman Actors Federal Credit Union Marc Owens & Fred Root in memory of Murray Schapiro Actors’ Equity Foundation Gilbert Parker ATPAM James D. Akins, Jr. Bradley A. Patterson & Kamille K. Patterson The Barrington Foundation, Inc. Michael Artura & Thomas Pugh Jonathan Pickhardt Bertsch Family Charitable Foundation H. Thomas Axt & Alan Hassell Mimi Prentice in memory of June Bertsch Nan & Joe Benincasa Richard E. Rauh George L. Bielitz & John Derco Elaine D. Berger Warren D. Riffle & Kurt A. Fleagle Paul Boskind Melvin Bernhardt & Jeff Woodman Jose Rojas & Nina Cavalli The Carl Jacobs Foundation Walter Bobbie & David Frye Rose Brand City National Bank William Craver Shake Shack Tracy Cohen & William Ludel CESD Talent Agency Scott Dainton Mitties M. DeChamplain in loving memory Amy Sherman-Palladino Rob Sinacore in memory of Deborah Dakin of Stephen Anthony Moore Dr. Malcolm Berg (our love lives on) Michel G. Delhaise & George E. Jordan Jamie deRoy Robin Strasser in honor of Sam Ellis in memory of Doris Eaton Travis in memory of Bradshaw Smith Ed Richmond and Robert Kilgore The Fosdick Fund Drew Desky & Dane Levens Anthony Sweeney I. Steven Goldstein & William Popeleski Jr. Entertainment Industry Foundation Craig H. Uhrich Winnie Holzman & Paul Dooley Joe Evall & Richard Lynn Allen Walker James C. Hormel & Michael P. Nguyen Jules Fisher & Graciela Daniele Ric Wanetik & David Hagans Jane Morison Iwanowski Kevin & Helen Flanagan* Max Weintraub Jerome S. Glazer Foundation Maggie Flanigan & Richard Dow Whittier & Associates John L. McHugh Foundation Dale & Ellyn Glasser in honor of David H. Whittier Harriett Kittner in memory of Steven Glasser Diane M. & Kevin Wilshere Scott Mallalieu Jill & Marty Handelsman Wyncote Foundation Steven Markov & Jeffrey Meleski Jerry Herman Peter McKown William S. Hoover, MD Cookie & Mike Miller Matthew P. Hui Calvin Mitchell J. Russell Jackson gifts from $1,000 to $2,499 Ruth Neale Detlef Kamps John Okuloski & Frank Duff Amy Kaufmann & Ruth Ro Robert & Noah Aberlin Playbill, Inc. ® Kathryn Keneally & Thomas Marshall Rich Ahrens The Richmond/Ermet Angela Lansbury John R. Alchin & Hal Marryatt AIDS Foundation, San Francisco Jay Laudato & Thomas Watson Jean Yves Amouroux Mickey Rolfe & Bruce Tracy Stephanie Lee/Group Sales Box Office Lee Anisman Schaeffer Family Foundation Larry Luing & Dario Espinosa James L. Ansin Kevin Spacey Larry L. Luing Family Foundation Stuart S. Applebaum The Swanton Family Foundation Kevin R. Lyle in memory of Mr. Vincent Zito The Stephanie & Carter McClelland Richard M. Lynn The A.R. Hughes Family Fund Foundation Daniel Maury David Glenn Armstrong & Jeffrey Miller David Terveen Marin Mazzie & Jason Danieley in memory of Todd Coroliuc Robert Tuschman in memory of Gary Bonasorte Bob Avian & Peter Pileski Nina & Gary Wexler Mark Mendelson Richard P. Baks Barbara Whitman Keith Miller Paris Baldacci & Andrew S. Dolkart Anonymous (2) Ira Mont & Jill Cordle Mont Christopher & Paris Barclay John Barnes & Charles Champagne

Front Mezzanine


Clay & Karen Barnes in honor of Gracie & Christina Scott Barnes & Brian Kellow Brent Barrett The Harkness Foundation for Dance, Inc. Mark Basile & Steven Schnepp Willard Beckham Beech Street Foundation Alan Bell & David Ziff Douglas Bella Roger Berlind Phillip Bettencourt Robert Billig & Richard Vida Chuck Blasius in memory Linda Accardi Dave Boone John Bowab Carl & Karen Bowen Lavinia Branca Snyder* J. Arthur Brost Barry Brown Don Buchwald & Associates Philip Burford James & Debbie Burrows Michelle L. Butler Robert Callely Christopher Cara Carleton Carpenter Frank Carucci & David Diamond in honor of Maria Di Dia Rev. Thomas M. Catania Deborah & Steven Cavalier The Charles & Lucille King Family Foundation Charlie & Moll Anderson Foundation Paula & David Chase Cathy Chernoff Mr. & Mrs. Edward A. Chernoff Scott Clearwater Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Charles I. Clough Jr. Bill Condon Frank Conway* Joel Steven Cook Casey Cook Thomas Cott in memory of Philip Carlson* William C. Cubberley* Maurice Brandon Curry* Mark & Susan Dalton Merle Debuskey & Pearl Somner Michael Demby-Cain* Louis J. Denkovic Dawn Dennis Jay Deratany Senator Mike & Fran DeWine Ankur Doshi Judy & Tim Dove Don Eckert The Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation Kenneth L. Eisenberg & Lisa Petriello-Eisenberg Steven Elkin Anthony & Kristin Ellenbogen Peter Entin & Barbara Janowitz Robert Evers Ken Fakler & Dan Stone David Faliszek Peter Farrell* Ken Finkelstein & James Higginbotham Edward & Lori Forstein Dale J. Fournier & Michael R. Wellington* David & Sheila Fox Richard Frankel & Kathleen Clark William & Carol Ann Freeman Barbara & Buddy Freitag

David A. Friedman in memory of my mother Shirley Friedman Pierre Frinault Fulton Family Legacy Fund at The San Diego Foundation Vincent Gaeta Bruce & Alice Geismar The Gelfand Family Foundation Thomas Gentile Richard Gerrig & Timothy Peterson Maxine Gerson John P. Geurts & Robert W. Stolt John Gibson & Allerton Cushman III Roger Gindi & Gregory Victor Joanna Gleason & Chris Sarandon Dan Goggin Robert D. Gonzales Ernest Gonzalez & Scott Siler Adan J. Goldfarb Crawford Gordon Doug Johnson & Valerie Gordon-Johnson Stefanie M. Gorman The Gould-Shenfeld Family Foundation Dane Grams Michael Greif & Jonathan Fried Emily Grishman & Susan Sampliner Barry & Maggie Grove Robert D. Guyton, M.D. & Bob Goggin Reverend Jeffrey L. Hamblin Sarah & Joel Handelman Carrie Anne K. Harrell Michael P. Harrell Edward A. Harris & Amy Madigan Linda Harris Jennifer Hatch & Sue Smith Jeffrey Hayenga & Michael Belanger Joseph Heffernan Jason Heil Joseph R. Heller Joy Henshel Richard M. Hester Robert C. Hickman Jerry Hirsch Susan & Neal Hirsch James Hoelz & William Welsh Holland Costello Charitable Giving Fund Andrea & Craig Horowitz Chris Hyman Carol A. Ingram in memory of Rodger McFarlane Ira M. Resnick Foundation in honor of Robin Sherman Michael T. Isbell in honor of Spencer Cox Jeanne & Waldo Jackson in memory of our son Robert Jackson The Janis & Alan Menken Foundation Thai Jason in honor of Tom Viola Karma Foundation John Kander & Albert Stephenson Rakefet S. Kasdin & N. Jeremy Kasdin Nancy Kellogg Gray & Samantha Kennedy Karl Kemp* Karen Kennedy in memory of Muriel & Bob Kennedy Edgar A. Knudson Kenneth Koen* Ronald & Isobel Konecky Lillian Kraemer Robert J. Kunikoff Michael Kuzma in memory of Arthur Siccardi III Judith Light & Robert Desiderio Nicole & Dom Lio Diane Lippert The Arthur Loeb Foundation Michael Lombard

Tom Lombardi John Graves & Dennis Lonergan Philip & Rita Loy Thomas Luciano David C. Ludwigson & LaMont Craig in honor of Rodger McFarlane Steve Lukens Steven F. Lutz Maureen A. Macfadden John J. Mackerey Donna MacLetchie Gerry Madigan & Rich Pippia Maidstone Productions in memory of Ted Tulchin John Mandler Barbara Manocherian Marangi Disposal Mark Edward Inc. Clif Mathews & Dustin Basco Elizabeth I. McCann Mary McColl Richard V. McCune - City National Entertainment David R. McShane Bill Melamed in honor of Judy & Tim Dove and Frank Conway Lawrence & Nancy Meleski in honor of Jeff Meleski & Steve Markov MeritDirect, LLC Mr. & Mrs. E. Van R. Milbury Marianne McGrath Mills Michael S. Mills Jonathan Mintzer Brian Stokes Mitchell & Allyson Tucker Javier Morgado Sally Campbell Morse Jason J. Moyer The Nathan Cummings Foundation R. Wayne Nederlander Judith A. Nelson in memory of Wayne McCarthy Judith A. Nelson in memory of Wayne McCarthy* Bebe Neuwirth & Chris Calkins* Maury Newburger Stanley Newman & Dr. Brian Rosenthal Maddi, Charlie & Bridget Niebanck friends of John Lloyd Young Albert Nocciolino Nora Roberts Foundation William Norris Stuart Oken John K. Orberg Stephen Osada Ronald Painter Philip Paroian Gregg Passin Ralph Pearce Ralph L. Pellecchio & James C. Wernz, M.D. Anonymous L. Glenn Poppleton Alex Prakken James Rado Jonathan Rebell The Red House Fund Monica & Greg Reid Teresa Reyes & Martin Monas* Bob Rhodehamel & Dana Snyder Richard F. Walsh/Alfred W. Di Tolla/ Harold P. Spivak Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Michael D. Richman Bob Richter Jonathan Rock & Patrick Delacruz David Romero & David Greiss

Janet Rose Phillip & Lisa Rothweiler in memory of Tony Stevens Jack & Moe Rouse Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Samuel L. Phillips Family Foundation Dorothy & Peter Samuels Robert Schaffer* Michael Schober Will Schwalbe & David Cheng Debra & Michael Segal Segal Family Foundation Elliott R. Sernel Kenneth G. Shelley Mary Jo & Ted Shen in memory of Gordon Stokes Kurtti Kenneth & Kenda Singer Margaret (Peg) Small in memory of Erik Michael Sodomick Mark Sohn Stacey Mindich Productions Eileen T. Stapleton Peter Steinman & Todd Geringswald Albert Stephenson & John Kander Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara Meryl Streep & Don Gummer Steve Sweet Sharon Terrill John Henry Thomas III Stuart Thompson & Joe Baker Tina & Jeffrey Bolton Family Fund Stephen & Valerie Toups David & Deborah Trainer Matthew D. Tumminello Beth M. Uffner Unity Church of New York Joyce Van Patten William & Helen Van Syckle Dona D. Vaughn & Ron Raines in memory of Ken Cory Ariadne & Juan Villarreal Tom Viola in memory of his dad, “Doc” Viola Miriam Vogel Richard & Debra Voller Carol Waaser Suzyn Waldman Arthur E. Webster, Esq. Weinberg Family Foundation Peg & Gary Wendlandt Michael Wescoe Cortright Wetherill Nancy A. Wheeler Fred White & Greg Kammerer Danny Whitman & Robert Bartley in memory of Francine Whitman Richard C. Wiggers Margo Wintersteen Terrence J. Witter & Artie de la Cruz Betty Yarmon Brian R. Yorkey The Ziegfeld Club Lucinda Zink Elliot Zulver & Sally Gold Anonymous (2) Anonymous in memory of Elizabeth Taylor Anonymous in memory of Ruth Hoefgen

* Indicates members of the DRA Angels Circle

[behind the] scenes 33


legacy & leadership The Colleen Dewhurst Society

A

s a doctor who’s spent the last two decades committed to providing medical care and services to people living with HIV and AIDS, Lee Anisman now wants to ensure those efforts continue on. Anisman recently joined The Colleen Dewhurst Society, BC/ EFA’s planned giving program, by including Broadway Cares in his will. It was a simple but crucial step for a man who sees the importance of creating a solid foundation of future support for those less fortunate. “It makes perfect sense,” Anisman said. “Broadway Cares provides a vital safety net for thousands living with HIV/AIDS and they do it through the magic of the theatre, two things that are central to my life.” In 1994, Anisman opened Pride Medical in Atlanta, a practice dedicated to the care of people living with HIV and AIDS. Though he’s based in Georgia, Anisman is no stranger to Broadway. He made his stage debut in January in The Phantom of the Opera as the winner of a special Broadway Cares auction lot offering a walk-on during the opening number. “Ever since I can remember, I had wanted to be a musical theatre actor,” Anisman said. “While that dream didn’t exactly come true, Broadway Cares has allowed me to fulfill a lifelong fantasy and, at the same time, support a cause that is deeply important to me.”

Anyone can join the Colleen Dewhurst Society. Including Broadway Cares in your long-term financial plans is a powerful affirmation of your commitment to the work we do together and a way to ensure that those who need our help will always have someone to count on. You can keep your legacy alive and help Broadway Cares take care of our most vulnerable for years to come by:

• Making a bequest by including BC/EFA in your will;

• Naming BC/EFA as a beneficiary of your 401(k);

• Listing BC/EFA as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.

To learn more or join, please contact Ryan Walls, major gifts officer, at walls@broadwaycares.org or 212.840.0770, ext. 275. n

Food Network Serves Tasty Intro to The Angels Circle

I

n a dazzling display of skill and creativity, Food Network chefs made a delectable array of bite-sized hors d’oeuvres and canapes. But this was not a live version of one of the network’s hit shows. It was a Broadway Cares Leadership Council event introducing invited guests to BC/EFA’s annual giving society, The Angels Circle. Bob Tuschman, general manager/senior vice president for Food Network and a member of the Broadway Cares Leadership Council, welcomed everyone into his “kitchen” noting, “This evening is all about celebrating the critical work of Broadway Cares.” Tony Award-winner Debra Monk regaled guests with humorous remembrances of her dear friend and mentor Fred Ebb and poignant stories of how the AIDS epidemic has affected “Freddie’s” and her many colleagues and friends. Ted Allen, host of Food Network’s immensely popular Chopped, provided a tasty dessert to the evening in the form of a behind-the-scenes tour of the network’s New York City studios. With an incredibly generous matching gift from DIRECTV, the event raised more than $60,000 and added 19 new members to The Angels Circle. 34 [behind the] scenes

The Leadership Council is comprised of individuals who are passionate about expanding the support of BC/EFA and increasing its grant-making capabilities. To learn more about the Leadership Council, contact Danny Whitman at whitman@broadwaycares.org or 212.840.0770, ext. 239. The Leadership Council co-chairs are Drew Desky and Matt Tumminello. Council members are Ken Fakler, Dane Grams, Jennifer Hatch, Steve Markov, Clif Mathews, Daniel Maury, Jeff Meleski, Javier Morgado, Bob Richter, Happy Shipley and Bob Tuschman. n


online store Carols for a Cure 2012 The 14th edition of this popular holiday CD features the companies of 20 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows singing seasonal favorites and original music.

Broadway Legends: Gwen Verdon The highly anticipated fifth ornament in the Broadway Legends series is the incomparable Gwen Verdon as Sweet Charity.

The

Perfect Gifts for the Holidays Broadway Cares Collection Snow Globe Bright red stairs lead up to the logos of more than 25 Broadway musicals which are literally busting out of a glittery, rotating black top hat in our new 2012 collectable snow globe designed by Tony-nominated designer Anna Louizos.

Holiday Cards Show your support by sending one of BC/EFA’s exclusively designed holiday cards.

Playbill® Ornaments Broadway Cares Classic Collection Umbrella

The Broadway Cares Collection and Playbill® introduce this new series of collectable ornaments featuring Playbill® covers from the six longestrunning musicals in Broadway history.

You’ll be singin’ in the rain when you open this brand new umbrella to see long-running and classic Broadway musical logos lining the outside border.

SHOP NOW

broadwaycares.org/store

VIP Tickets to the Hottest Shows Visit broadwaycares.org/caretix for details or call 212.840.0770, ext. 229


NON-PROFIT ORG. U. S. POSTAGE PAID New York, N.Y. Permit No. 9472

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS 165 West 46th Street Suite 1300 New York, NY 10036

Help stop wasteful duplicate mailings. If you receive more than one copy of this newsletter, please send us the labels and indicate which one is correct. Thank you for helping us to spend money wisely.

Save The Date

24th Annual Gypsy of the Year

Dance from the Heart

Broadway Backwards 8

Monday, Dec. 3, 4:30 pm Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2 pm New Amsterdam Theatre

Monday, January 28 Tuesday, January 29 Cedar Lake Theater

Monday, March 18 Theatre TBA

Classical Action 20th Anniversary Gala

27th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition

Thursday, April 11 Hudson Theatre

Monday, April 22, 4:30 pm Tuesday, April 23, 2 pm Minskoff Theatre

broadwaycares . or g


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.