Teaser: Broadway Bares Fire Island 2015

The modern day burlesque Broadway Bares heads back to the Fire Island Pines on May 30th, kicking off the summer season with a sizzling edition of Broadway Bares Fire Island.

Once again, the sexy men and women of Broadway Bares will return to Fire Island Pines, NY, for two performances, produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The show will be performed at 7 pm and 9 pm at Whyte Hall's Brandon Fradd Theater.

Idina Menzel sings Impromptu "Let It Go" for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Idina Menzel sings "Let It Go" with audience members after a performance of IF/THEN

Regular readers of The Randy Report know that my favorite charity is Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which I've long supported with my time and dollars. Very near and dear to my heart.

Each year in November and December, Broadway shows take part in a six week fundraising period which leads up to the "Gypsy of the Year" competition. During the six weeks before the big "Gypsy of the Year" show, cast members think of whatever creative ways they can to encourage donations after each performance of their respective shows.

How's this for a one of a kind experience?

Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel, currently starring in the Broadway production of If/Then, offers an impromptu rendition of the "Frozen" hit "Let It Go" as part of a post-curtain fundraiser for BC/EFA.

For more info about BC/EFA, head to the official website.  And if you do plan to make a holiday donation this year, please consider this incredible organization that has led the way for decades in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Broadway: 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction

Be a part of the biggest day for Broadway fans as the 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction returns this fall to Times Square, Shubert Alley and West 44th Street.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, September 21 from 10am-7pm.

Last year, the free-to-the-public, once-a-year outdoor market raised $631,222, bringing the event's 27-year total to more than $10.3 million.

All the funds raised go to The Randy Report's favorite charity, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The Grand Auction, which includes a series of silent auctions throughout the day culminating in an exciting live auction, features dozens of fascinating lots, including walk-on appearances in Broadway's biggest hits lunches with Tony Award winners, VIP tickets to Broadway opening nights and musical phrases handwritten by Broadway's best composers and lyricists.

At the Autograph Table & Photo Booth, hosted once again by the inimitable Jim Caruso, fans have the opportunity to get autographs or pose for pictures with their favorite stars from Broadway and Off-Broadway in exchange for donations to Broadway Cares.

Among those schedule to appear are Tony winners Boyd Gaines, Lena Hall, James Monroe Iglehart, Nikki M. James, Bebe Neuwirth, David Hyde Pierce, Billy Porter and Alice Ripley, as well as other Broadway favorites including Bryan Batt, Stephanie J. Block, Danny Burstein, Charlotte d'Amboise, Ann Harada, Andy Karl, Lesli Margherita, Constantine Maroulis, Kyle Dean Massey, Josh Radnor, Christopher Sieber and Patrick Wilson.

(via press release)

2014 Broadway Bares Solo Strips Highlights

Ten men and drag queen Kizha Carr raised $16,140 by baring almost all before a capacity crowd at the 2014 edition of Broadway Bares: Solo Strips on Sunday, May 11, 2014, at BPM Nightclub in NYC.

This year's lineup of Broadway Bares: Solo Strips performers included Callan Bergmann, Joshua Michael Brickman, Anthony Rooar DeCarlis, Todd Hanebrink, Vince Oddo Julius Rubio, Ricky Schroeder, Michael Scirrotto, Dennis Stowe and Ryan Worsing. Hosting the evening was Terren Wooten Clarke as Kizha Carr.

Broadway Bares: Solo Strips is a sexy tease for Broadway Bares, one of BC/EFA's annual signature events. This year's edition, Broadway Bares: Rock Hard!, will feature 150 of New York's most desirable dancers.

Broadway Bares: Rock Hard! will be held Sunday, June 22, with two performances only at 9:30 pm & Midnight at Hammerstein Ballroom, located in the Manhattan Center at 311 West 34th Street in NYC.

Broadway: Highlights from this year's Annual Easter Bonnet Competition

The 28th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition returned to the Minskoff Theatre on April 21 and 22, with the companies of Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring productions offering skits, songs and dances, as well as elaborately designed bonnets created especially for the event.

This year's event raised a record $4,532,129 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Broadway veterans shared the stage with celebrated newcomers, as more than 200 of Broadway and Off-Broadway's most talented performers came together for this year's Easter Bonnet Competition.

Highlights from 2014 Broadway Backwards

Broadway's best filled a sold-out Al Hirschfeld Theatre for the ninth annual edition of Broadway Backwards on Monday, March 24, 2014, raising a record-breaking $423,182 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center.

Broadway Backwards (#bwaybackwards) is an annual celebration where gays and lesbians see their stories told through the great songs of musical theatre with performers offering same-sex or reversed gender renditions sung by their favorite Broadway performers. It is produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and was presented this year in the historic Hirschfeld Theatre.

Check out many of the performances below:

Michael Berresse and Tony Yazbeck

Cass Morgan and Debra Monk

Jonathan Groff

Kyle Dean Massey and Jose Llana

Rachel Bay Jones and Uzo Aduba

Broadway Bares begins new year with "Winter Burlesque - Calendar Girl"

For the month of April/May: Sidney Erik Wright, Matt Anctil, Patrick Boyd
All photos by Daniel Roberts

The 24th season of Broadway Bares began Sunday raising $32,781 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Take two-time Tony Award nominee Christopher Sieber, two-time OutMusic Award winner Matt Zarley and 25 talented, sexy New York dancers and you get "Calendar Girl" - this year's edition of Winter Burlesque by Broadway Bares.

Watch video highlights below.

Tickets for Broadway Bares 24 are on sale now at BroadwayBares.com and BroadwayCares.org.

Mr. September Matthew Rossoff

Matt Zarley in the finale of Winter Burlesque "Calendar Girl"

Broadway's "Gypsy of the Year 2013" raises $4.3 million

The 25th anniversary celebration of Gypsy of the Year, the culmination of six weeks of extraordinary fundraising by 56 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies, raised an amazing $4,343,234 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 10, at this year's Gypsy of the Year, which included an array of original dances, songs and skits performed by more than 250 "gypsies," the most talented singers and dancers in the ensembles of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.

Since 1989, the 25 editions of Gypsy of the Year have raised a total of $57,277,815 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

In the spirit of the holiday season, please consider BC/EFA for your charitable donations. 

You can check out highlights below.

Chita Rivera raises over $400K in one night for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

A sizzling evening of song and dance honoring and starring theatrical icon Chita Rivera raised a remarkable $413,660 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

A sold-out crowd filled Broadway's August Wilson Theatre with applause and six standing ovations throughout the evening Monday night, as they cheered Rivera, a Broadway legend who turned 80 earlier this year.

Over two hours onstage and backed by a 15-piece onstage orchestra, Rivera recreated some of her most iconic performances from 10 of her Broadway musicals including West Side Story, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman,The Rink and Sweet Charity.

An emotional Rivera expressed her gratitude to the audience saying, "I've lost so many of my friends to AIDS, thank you for coming, for caring, for sharing, for giving, because Broadway Cares really needs you and we must never forget that."

Chita: A Legendary Celebration was directed by Graciela Daniele and written by Terrence McNally with music direction byMichael Croiter. The evening was produced by and benefitted Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

(via BroadwayWorld)

Broadway: Don't miss the 27th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction

 Be a part of the biggest day of the year for Broadway fans at the 27th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction.

Find one-of-a-kind showbiz treasures, meet your favorite cast members and bid on exclusive backstage experiences.

Free and open to the public, the annual event takes place September 22nd from 10 AM-7 PM in the heart of the theatre district along West 44th Street (between Broadway and Eighth Avenue) and in Shubert Alley.

In addition to memorabilia and other items to purchase, theatre fans have the opportunity to get autographs and pose for pictures with their favorite stars from Broadway and Off-Broadway in exchange for donations to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS - a charity near and dear to my heart.

Broadway stars scheduled to appear include Len Cariou, Harriet Harris, Shuler Hensley, Cherry Jones, Aaron Lazar, Judith Light, Debra Monk, Donna Murphy, Bebe Neuwirth, Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, Faith Prince, Alice Ripley, Laura Benanti, Robert Cuccioli, Jeremy Jordan, Jan Maxwell, Julia Murney, Rory O’Malley, Laura Osnes, Christopher Sieber, Matthew James Thomas, Patrick Wilson and more.

You never know who'll show up or what you'll find. For an up-to-date list, visit broadwaycares.org.

Excerpts from 20th Anniversary gala of "The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me"

Excerpts from the 20th Anniversary gala performance of David Drake's ground-breaking play The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me.

The sold-out benefit performance on May 20, 2013, raised a $66,025 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Sero Project.

The re-imagined work was transformed from a one-man show into one featuring an all-star ensemble cast.

Actor and activist David Drake wrote The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me in the early 1990s. After joining the activist group ACT UP, Drake began writing autobiographical monologues about the AIDS crisis that eventually became the one-man show about this critical point in American history.

The one-night-only benefit performance featured an ensemble of talented actors, including Drake, Brandon Cordeiro, two-time Tony Award nominee Robin De Jesús, two-time Tony nominee André De Shields, Claybourne Elder, Tony nominee Rory O'Malley, Anthony Rapp, Chad Ryan, Donald C. Shorter, Jr., Wesley Taylor, Aaron Tone and Tony winner BD Wong. Tony nominee Robert La Fosse directed.

The Candi & Randy Show welcomes Tom Viola of BC/EFA

Listen to internet radio with CandiXRandy on BlogTalkRadio

Candi and Randy welcome the Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Tom Viola.

Tom has been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS advocacy for decades, working with the Broadway & theatre community to raise needed funds for a multitude of charities.

In addition, Tom was one of the original producers of the Obie Award winning play "The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me," written and starring David Drake.

Among many rave reviews, the New York Times called the play "rivetingly angry, intense, frenetic, frank and touching."

Tonight, at the Gerard Lynch Theater at John Jay College, David Drake returns to a one night only celebration of his ground-breaking play. He has rewritten the play to include an all-star cast of openly gay theatre actors including Tony Award nominees Robin De Jesús, André De Shields, Rory O'Malley, RENT's Anthony Rapp, and Tony winner BD Wong.

We talk to Tom about the birth of the play, it's impact on the LGBT community, it's relevance two decades later plus other efforts by BC/EFA.

For info about the event tonight, go to BroadwayCares.org

UPDATE: The 20th anniversary performance of David Drake's solo show raised $66,025 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Sero Project. Bravo!

2013 Broadway Backwards highlights

Broadway Backwards features show tune standards performed by the opposite gender for whom they were written. From the producers:

Broadway Backwards, the once-a-year celebration of the LGBT community, brought down the house March 18, 2013, while raising a record-setting $347,060 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center.

The sold-out show left the audience cheering after unforgettable performances by an array of Broadway's best, including Brian Stokes Mitchell, Karen Ziemba, Josh Young, Stephanie J. Block, Anthony Warlow and Tituss Burgess, who delivered a stirring recreation from Dreamgirls.

Look for this year and previous year's events on DVD at this link. EAch of the DVDs feature fab and fun performances through the years from different events. (I participated in the 2010 Gypsy of the Year edition).

All funds go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Ricky Martin drops his pants for charity

Ricky Martin posted a pic on his WhoSay page showing him in nothing but a T-shirt, his skivvies and shoes, and looking quite shocked.

No worries - all for a good cause.

The 40-year-old will be auctioning off his trousers for charity to help benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the nonprofit that's actively raised funds to help AIDS-related causes for more than two decades now.

"We even ended up auctioning my pants WTF!!! LOL Terminamos subastando hasta mis pantalones jajaja @BCEFA," the star tweeted.

The 26th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction

Great, great event that supports Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Don't miss it NYC! Find showbiz treasures, meet the stars and bid on once-in-a-lifetime items and experiences at the 26th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction.

Make your plans now to spend Sunday, September 23 with Broadway Cares and thousands of other theatre fans in Times Square, Shubert Alley and along West 44th Street searching for those one-of-a-kind keepsakes. This not-to-be-missed event for any serious Broadway theatergoer is free and open to the public and has been called one of the "Best Once-a-Year Markets" in New York City.

From photos with your favorite Broadway star to buying that lost cast recording, signed show posters and Playbills, rare costume sketches or that special gift for a theatre-lover you can't find anywhere else - this year's Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction promises to offer something for everyone.

Heart of Broadway - the ensemble behind Broadway Cares

Heart of Broadway goes inside Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for an in‐depth look at the organization, which, by drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theater community, since 1988 has raised more than $195 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

The special takes viewers backstage and behind the scenes for conversations with key players who reveal what makes this one of the most influential organizations in the world. Featured celebrities, who've repeatedly and graciously donated their time and talents to Broadway Cares, include Denis O’Hare, Marc Kudisch, Jerry Mitchell, Tom Viola, Judith Light, Jen Cody, Terrence McNally, Lillias White, Kathleen Chalfant, Billy Porter, and Ann Harada.

More about this inspiring TV experience at HERE.tv