Gypsy of the Year Raises $2,754,631 for Broadway Cares

Fifty-five participating Broadway, off-Broadway and national tour companies raised $2,754,631 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS in the last six weeks. The whopping grand total was announced December 7 at the 16th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Wicked brought in the most money of any show with $362, 918. The runner-up in terms of fundraising was Tony winner Avenue Q, which raised $154, 208, just edging out Mamma Mia!'s $154,032 tally. The Broadway play that took in the most was Twelve Angry Men with $110,724. Off-Broadway's highest fundraiser was Menopause: The Musical at Playhouse 91 with $13,200 and the Mamma Mia! tour did better than any other show on the road, taking in $147,929.

Of course, Gypsy of the Year is about more than money--it is a chance for Broadway's chorus folks to strut their stuff. This year the show was hosted by Hairspray's Bruce Vilanch and featured numerous performances. The Lion King won the award for Best Performance, while top fundraiser Wicked was runner-up for their number.

This year's celebrity judges, who were introduced from the stage by Dame Edna, included Mario Cantone, Cherry Jones, Tovah Feldshuh and Jai Rodriquez. Brooke Shields and Whoopi Goldberg joined Vilanch onstage for the awards presentation.