The 17th Annual EASTER BONNET was a great success with an amazing
$2,149,744 being raised this year by the over 40 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway,
and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.
Antonio Banderas, Chita Rivera, and Harvey Fierstein were on hand to present
the awards for top fund raising companies and the outstanding bonnet presentation.
Banderas himself became a bonus prize as each winning company received their
award, they also claimed a kiss from the star of the revival of Nine. This year's fundraising award winners were: Fourth Runner Up (tie) La Boheme
$81,500 The Man of La Mancha Third Runner Up Les Miserables
$87,700 Second Runner Up Mamma Mia!
$117,800 First Runner Up Thoroughly Modern Millie
$122,200 Winner Hairspray
$191,000
Special awards were also given to the top fundraising Broadway play, Off-Broadway
company, and touring company. This year, the top fundraising Broadway play was
MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM ($77,300); the top fundraising Off-Broadway company
was ZANNA, DON'T! ($20,000); and the top touring company was MAMMA MIA! ($128,800). The results of this year's bonnet presentation were: Second Runner Up Mamma Mia! First Runner Up 42nd Street Winner La Boheme
The special award for bonnet design was given to The Producers. The winning
bonnet was designed by Chris March. The Easter Bonnet Competition is the culmination of six intensive weeks
of fundraising efforts by Broadway and Off-Broadway company members as well
as numerous productions currently on national tour. Curtain speeches, autographed
poster and program sales, auctions, and cabaret performances bring in hundreds
of thousands of dollars from audiences prior to the competition.
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