Led by A Steady Rain's $1.5 Million, Gypsy of the Year Raises a Record $4,630,695

Thanks to the fundraising prowess of Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig, the 21st annual Gypsy of the Year competition raised a record $4,630,695 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. An amazing $1,549,953 of that total was raised by the two stars of A Steady Rain, who auctioned their shirts and offered backstage photos after every performance during the six-week fundraising period. This year’s total breaks the previous record of $3,927,000 in 2007.

Sixty Broadway, off-Broadway, and national tour companies participated in the popular yearly fundraising competition, which culminates in two days of musical presentations at the Palace Theatre. Jackman beat his previous record, when The Boy From Oz raised $632,998 in 2003.

Among musicals, the top fundraiser was The Phantom of Opera ($161,060); among touring shows, the winner was Rent ($242,383). Presentation awards went to Chicago's parody of the song “A Boy Like That/I Have A Love,” with West Side Story as first runner-up. The event was hosted by Julie White and Seth Rudetsky.