Hamilton’s Leslie Odom Jr., Dames at Sea’s Lesli Margherita & More Broadway Faves Set for Gypsy of the Year

Hamilton’s Leslie Odom Jr., Renée Elise Goldsberry and Christopher Jackson, along with Dames at Sea’s Lesli Margherita and many more Broadway faves, will take part in the 27th annual edition of the Gypsy of the Year competition. Featuring special performances from 14 Broadway and off-Broadway shows on December 7 and December 8 at the New Amsterdam Theatre, the event celebrates six weeks of intensive fundraising by Broadway, off-Broadway and national touring productions for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Directed by Kristin Newhouse, Gypsy of the Year will also include guest appearances by Wayne Brady (Kinky Boots), Andréa Burns (On Your Feet!), Gavin Creel (The Book of Mormon), Laura Michelle Kelly (Finding Neverland), Judith Light (Thérèse Raquin), Camryn Manheim (Spring Awakening), Brad Oscar (Something Rotten!), Christopher Sieber (Matilda The Musical) and Brandon Uranowitz (An American in Paris).

This year's event will feature more than 150 Broadway and off-Broadway singers and dancers. Shows scheduled to perform original numbers include An American in Paris, Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon, Chicago, Finding Neverland, Fun Home, Hamilton, The King and I, Kinky Boots, Les Misérables, The Lion King, Company XIV’s Nutcracker Rouge, On Your Feet! and Trip of Love.

Gypsy of the Year honors the tireless work of “gypsies,” the ensemble singers and dancers in Broadway, off-Broadway and national touring companies. They and their special guests will perform original skits, songs and dances. Awards will be presented for the best presentation during the two performances and for the shows raising the most money during the six-week effort.

At the December 8 performance, the awards for this year’s top fundraisers will be announced by George Takei (Allegiance), Michael Cerveris (Fun Home) and Julie White (Sylvia). The panel of judges is set to include John Cariani and Kate Reinders (Something Rotten!), Veanne Cox (An American in Paris), Alma Cuervo and Ana Villafane (On Your Feet!), Telly Leung and Lea Salonga (Allegiance), Actors’ Equity Association President Kate Shindle and choreographer Sergio Trujillo (On Your Feet!). Seth Rudetsky has been tapped to host the show for the eighth year; the opening number will be directed and choreographed by Al Blackstone with music direction by Ben Cohn. A special tribute to national touring productions will be directed and choreographed by Geoffrey Goldberg.

The 26 editions of Gypsy of the Year thus far have raised more than $62.4 million. Last year, 64 participating shows raised a record breaking $5,229,611.