Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS held its 30th annual Easter Bonnet Competition April 25–26 at the Minskoff Theatre, celebrating a record-breaking culmination of weeks of fundraising on and Off-Broadway.
Featuring over 230 performers and 17 impeccably crafted bonnets, the two-day event included performances from the casts of several popular Broadway shows, including “Chicago,” “The Lion King,” and “School of Rock,” the latter of which included a surprise appearance by rock legend Stevie Nicks. Presenters included such stars of the Great White Way as Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Carmen Cusack, Kerry Butler, Jennifer Simard, Alex Brightman, Adam Kantor, and Alexandra Silber.
The cast of “Hamilton” took home the event’s top honors for their inspired homage to Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd,” winning them Best Presentation and Most Money Raised. Earning the award for bonnet design was the cast of “An American in Paris,” who performed a number lamenting smartphone addiction. Rachel York of “Disaster!” closed the show with the David Friedman-penned “Help Is on the Way,” BC/EFA’s traditional Easter Bonnet anthem.
Christian Borle, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Jennifer Hudson announced this year’s staggering total: $5,528,568, the largest sum in the event’s history. All proceeds benefit BC/EFA, funding AIDS research and grant-making organizations. The Easter Bonnet Competition alone has raised more than $63 million since 1987. For more information on their work (and to donate!) visit bcefa.org.
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