Gypsy of the Year Competition Set for 12/4 and 12/5

New York's most talented chorus performers will take center stage December 4 and 5 at the 18th annual Gypsy of the Year Competition, to be held at the Neil Simon Theatre. Described as an "all-singing, all-dancing, all-dishing extravaganza," Gypsy of the Year has become a popular event for theater insiders. The competition/variety show is the culmination of six weeks of intensive fundraising, when shows on and off-Broadway engage in friendly competition to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Awards are presented to the companies that raise the most money and for the winning presentation.

Performers from the theater's community's biggest and most lavish productions are expected to participate, including Beauty and the Beast, A Chorus Line, The Color Purple, The Drowsy Chaperone, Hairspray, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, Rent, Tarzan, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Wedding Singer and Wicked.

Tickets for the shows, which will be held at 4:30 p.m. on December 4 and 2:00 p.m. on December 5, range from $20 to $90. A limited number of VIP $350 and Priority $200 tickets are available. For more information, go to BroadwayCares.org.