18th Gypsy of the Year Competition Brings in Big Bucks for BC/EFA

The theater community raised $2,992,800 during the six-week fall fundraising period for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The figure was announced during the finale of the 18th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition, the yearly variety show for various Broadway and off-Broadway casts, which was held on December 4 and 5 at the Neil Simon Theatre.

The company of The Color Purple raised the most money of any show, donating a total of $194,500 to the charity. The other top fundraising shows were Wicked $192,900, The Drowsy Chaperone $185,900, The Phantom of the Opera $153,800 and Jersey Boys $133,250. The Little Dog Laughed $44,330 brought in the most of the non-musicals, Lincoln Center Theater's The Clean House $26,700 earned the most of the off-Broadway shows and the Chicago company of Wicked $175,000 made their production the top-earning tour.

For the talent portion of the competition, which was rated by celebrity judges including Cynthia Nixon, Jill Clayburgh and Marian Seldes, The Color Purple again came out on top. For first runner-up, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast tied.

Spamalot stars Jonathan Hadary and Marin Mazzie hosted the event, with Christine Ebersole Grey Gardens and Martin Short Fame Becomes Me also on hand for the awards presentation. In total, the Gypsy of the Year Competition has raised a combined total of $28,764,000 for BC/EFA over the past 18 years.