Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the philanthropic heart of Broadway, helping people across the country and across the street receive lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance. Since 1988 they have raised more than $300 million for essential services for people living with HIV/AIDS, struggling with COVID-19, and facing other critical illnesses in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.
Not only are they one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations but drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theater community their fundraising are by far the most exciting of all.
One of their highly anticipated annual events is Broadway Bares which has grown so much since Jerry Mitchell, then a Broadway dancer and six of his friends danced atop a New York City bar and raised $8,000 for the cause. Since 1988, Broadway Bares has raised more than $21 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The 30th anniversary of Broadway Bares filled New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom on June 26, 2022, with an abundance of “community, unity and nudity” as the venerable modern-day burlesque spectacular wrapped up Pride Sunday with a raucous return to in-person performances after a pandemic-induced three-year hiatus.
Two standing-room-only performances of Broadway Bares: XXX raised $1,893,715.
The anniversary celebration immersed audiences into a risqué reverie of Broadway Bares’ history, revisiting highlights from Bares‘ colorful 30-year past. The journey, a fitting closing celebration for New York City’s Pride Sunday, reimagined superheroes, mythology, and fairy tales, peeked under the big top and behind mysterious doors and honored beloved stories of stage and screen.
The trip down memory lane starred 170 of New York City’s hottest, most exuberant dancers led by host Maulik Pancholy, who was assisted by Broadway Bares spirit guides Nathan Lee Graham and Lesli Margherita. The electric evening featured special guest appearances by this year’s Tony Awards host and Oscar winner Ariana DeBose, Funny Girl‘s Ramin Karimloo and POTUS‘ Julianne Hough, Suzy Nakamura and Julie White.
This cheeky opening number was a delightful blast through the milestones and mission of Broadway Bares choreographed by Laya Barak, Nick Kenkel, and Jonathan Lee with music and lyrics by Lynn Shankel and Amanda Green.
The Broadway Bares 2022 finale that was “one-of-a-kind, no category,” Keirsten Nicole Hodgens, Andrea Macasaet, Brittney Mack and Courtney Mack of Broadway’s Six led the company in an energetic and exhilarating number choreographed by Gabriella Sorrentino. Riffing off of Rihanna’s “We Found Love in a Hopeless Place,” the dancers celebrated finding love in a topless place. The entire Broadway Bares: XXX cast filed to the stage for a jubilant final conclusion to the show.
P.S. You can make a donation to BCEFA here
