Judges, presenters and participating shows have been announced for the 2010 Gypsy of the Year competition to be held on December 6 and 7 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Proceeds from the popular variety show, to be hosted by Seth Rudetsky, will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
This year’s judges include Bebe Neuwirth (The Addams Family), Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley (Next to Normal), Alison Fraser (The Divine Sister), Boyd Gaines (Driving Miss Daisy), Eve Plumb (Miss Abigail’s Guide), Patricia White (President, Local 764, Theatrical Wardrobe Union) and Nick Wyman (President of Actors’ Equity).
Celebrity presenters will include Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (A Little Night Music), Cherry Jones (Mrs. Warren’s Profession), T.R. Knight (A Life in the Theatre), Judith Light (Lombardi), Bernadette Peters (A Little Night Music), David Hyde Pierce (La Bête), Billy Porter (Angels in America), Colin Quinn (Long Story Short) and Elizabeth Stanley (Million Dollar Quartet).
Shows scheduled to present include The Addams Family, Billy Elliot, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Chicago, Fela, In the Heights, the national tour of Jersey Boys, La Cage aux Folles, The Lion King, Mamma Mia, Mary Poppins, the national tour of Mary Poppins, My Big Gay Italian Wedding, Promises, Promises, Rock of Ages, Wicked and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.
As previously announced, the opening number will feature Carol Channing performing some of her most beloved songs. There also will be a special presentation by choreographer Shea Sullivan in tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Gypsy Robe, a Broadway tradition passed on opening nights from musical-to-musical honoring each show’s chorus member with the most Broadway credits.
Gypsy of the Year is the culmination of six weeks of fundraising when shows on and Off-Broadway engage in a friendly competition to raise the most money for BC/EFA. Awards are presented to the companies that raise the most money and for the winning presentation.