West Side Story Salute to Be Featured at Gypsy of the Year

The 19th annual Gypsy of the Year competition, which has been rescheduled for December 17 and 18 at the New Amsterdam Theatre, will feature a special opening number in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original Broadway production of West Side Story. The two-day event, which benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will be hosted by Jackie Hoffman Xanadu, Bob Saget The Drowsy Chaperone and Mary Testa Xanadu.

The West Side Story number, a medley of songs from the show, will feature two time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera Anita and her original co-stars Mickey Callan Riff, Carol Lawrence Maria, Ken LeRoy Bernardo, Jamie Sanchez Chino and Reri Grist Consuelo, who debuted the now-classic ballad "Somewhere." They will be joined by cast members from the run of the 1957 production, including Genii Charnin, Harvey Evans, Marilyn D'Honau, Alan Johnson, Gene Gavin, Ronnie Lee, George Marcy, Liane Plane, Martin Charnin, Grover Dale, Bill Guske, Ed Kressley, Sandy Leeds, Tony Mordente, Carole D'Andrea, Frances Davis, Lowell Harris, Julie Oser-McLeod, Noel Schwartz and Gina Tricones. These legendary gypsies will be joined by gypsies from currently running shows.

The Gypsy of the Year opening number, which will recreate the original Jerome Robbins choreography, is being staged and directed by Joshua Bergasse with musical direction by Ben Cohn.

The Gypsy of the Year competition is traditionally the culmination of intense fundraising efforts by cast members in Broadway and off-Broadway shows. During the recent Broadway work stoppage, many Broadway shows' fundraising efforts were interrupted. "We are thrilled that Broadway is back and we look forward to everyone coming together to celebrate at this year's Gypsy of the Year competition," Tom Viola, executive director of BC/EFA, said in a statement.