The 29th Annual Gypsy of the Year Raises Funds for BC/EFA

Broadway's brightest will celebrate six weeks of dedicated fundraising in a spectacular showcase of songs and skits when the Gypsy of the Year competition returns December 4 and 5 to the New Amsterdam Theatre.

For two extraordinary afternoons, the 29th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year will celebrate the talented singers and dancers in the ensembles of shows, historically and affectionately known as "gypsies." More than 150 singers, dancers, and special guests will perform original skits, songs and dances, with awards presented to the best presentation and for the top fundraisers from the preceding six weeks.

Gypsy of the Year will feature guest appearances by Aladdin's Major Attaway; Laura Benanti, Keegan-Michael Key, Amy Schumer and Jeremy Shamos from "Meteor Shower"; Richard H. Blake, Will Coombs, Bradley Gibson, Adam Kaplan, Jonah Mussolino and Chazz Palminteri from "A Bronx Tale"; Chad Kimball, Caesar Samayoa and Sharon Wheatley from "Come From Away"; Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita and more. Hamilton's Javier Mu�oz will lead a moment of silence for those we have lost.

Shows scheduled to present songs, skits or dances include "Afterglow," "Aladdin," "Avenue Q," "Cats," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Chicago," "Come From Away," "Hamilton," "Jersey Boys," "The Lion King," "The Phantom of the Opera" and "School of Rock - The Musical." The Chase Brock Experience also is set to perform, representing Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Two-time Tony Award-nominee Charlotte d'Amboise will be sharing a special performance, and a piece choreographed by Kristine Bendul will honor those whose have gone before us and have paved the way for today's Broadway gypsies.

The opening number will be directed by Cady Huffman and choreographed by Lorna Ventura. The national touring productions that have been raising money during the last six weeks will be honored in a number directed and choreographed by Chaz Wolcott.

For eight shows a week, theater lobbies in New York City and beyond have been filled with casts, crew members and volunteers accepting donations with Broadway Cares' signature red buckets in hand. Every dollar placed in a bucket at Broadway, Off-Broadway and national tour theatres will help provide lifesaving medication, healthy meals, emergency financial assistance and more to the most vulnerable among us. A $10 donation covers HIV tests at a health clinic. A $50 donation provides 40 nutritious meals in a soup kitchen for the most vulnerable among us.

Additionally, audiences at many shows can purchase autographed memorabilia, like signed posters, Playbills and prop pieces. Some shows offer one-of-a-kind experiences, including backstage tours and meet-and-greets, in exchange for a donation.

The Broadway shows making appeals this season are: "Aladdin," "Anastasia," "Beautiful - The Carole King Musical," "The Book of Mormon," "A Bronx Tale The Musical," "Cats," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Chicago," "Come From Away," "Dear Evan Hansen," "Hamilton," "Hello, Dolly!," "Kinky Boots," "The Lion King," "M. Butterfly," "Miss Saigon," "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Play That Goes Wrong," "School of Rock - The Musical," "Waitress" and "Wicked." Last year, 55 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national tours raised $4.5 million.

Seth Rudetsky, beloved host of SiriusXM Satellite Radio's "On Broadway" channel and longtime friend of Broadway Cares, will return to host the December 4 and 5 shows.

Since 1989, the 28 editions of Gypsy of the Year have raised more than $72.7 million to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

For more information, visit https://broadwaycares.org/pre-event/gypsyoftheyear2017/