Dark Monday - Broadway Bares Strip-Opoly

On Sunday, June 20, 2010, the theater community came together for an annual fundraiser, Broadway Bares. In the 20th edition of the event, they raised over a million dollars for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The title of the show is Strip-Opoly, and while I didn't make it myself [one day, David Dust, we just gotta!], from the video, it looks like it might have ignited the heatwave on the East Coast. While countless people give of their time, some of the names of people who offered their services included: Nick Adams (La Cage Aux Folles), Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show]), Kevin Burrows (Spamalot on tour), Charles Busch (The Divine Sister), Kevin Chamberlin (The Addams Family), Tony and Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth (Promises, Promises), Jennifer Cody (Shrek The Musical), Tony Award winner Alan Cumming ("The Good Wife"), Diana DeGarmo (Hair), Lea DeLaria (The Rock Horror Show), Felicia Finley (The Wedding Singer), Tony Award winner Katie Finneran (Promises, Promises), Barrett Foa (Avenue Q), Julie Halston (The Divine Sister), Jackie Hoffman (The Addams Family), Cheyenne Jackson (Finian's Rainbow), Denis Jones (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Sebastian LaCause (The Rocky Horror Show), reality television star Reichen Lehmkuhl ("The Amazing Race"), Lucy Liu (God of Carnage), Julia Murney (Wicked), Christopher Sieber (Shrek The Musical), Rachelle Rak (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Andrew Rannells (Jersey Boys), Bruce Vilanch (Hairspray), Tony Award winner Lillias White (Fela) and Vanessa Williams (Sondheim on Sondheim). And here is a video recap of the night - with just a little warning: the images on the clip might not be safe for all offices, and one might need a cold shower when done.



For more on the event, including some great pictures, check out BroadwayWorld.Com. For more on Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, click here. You can also make a donation to the group by clicking here.

Broadway Backwards 5

Thanks for Broadwayworld.com, we can catch some of the highlights of Broadway Backwards 5, held last Monday, February 22 in the Vivian Beaumont Theater at the Lincoln Center. Some of Broadway's brightest stars came out for the fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York. Florence Henderson hosted the event, as well as offered her singing talents. Henderson also brought Marion Ross and Eve Plumb [Jan showed up!] to join in the fun. The theory behind the evening is the performers cross the gender lines originally intended for the songs, but retain the lyrics. So, you ladies singing the songs usually reserved for the men, so they are singing about women, and visa versa. Blurring the lines of gender and sexual identity is not only fun for the audience, I am sure it must be a blast for the performers to have the chance to sing songs they never thought they'd be able to, at least on stage. One of these years, I am gonna have to make the trip up to NYC and see this!



They are most certainly causes worth the star power that came out to offer their time and talents. You can donate to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids by clicking here. You can offer your support to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center by clicking here. Both are truly worthy causes, and have a reputation for taking good care of the community. I am sure they would appreciate any support that could be offered.