20th annual Gypsy of the Year competition fund raiser for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS

New York�s most talented �gypsies,� chorus members from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, join in a competition/variety show as six weeks of intensive fundraising to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) come to a close with the 20th annual Gypsy of the Year competition.

This year�s competition will take place at the New Amsterdam Theatre on 8 & 9 Dec 2008.

In addition, this year will see the return of �Team Raiser,� an online fundraising method introduced last year that allows theatre fans to make donations to BC/EFA via the Broadway Cares website (www.BroadwayCares.org). 'Team Raiser' allows theatre fans from across the globe to make donations to BC/EFA and be a part of the Gypsy of the Year festivities without having to go to the theatre.

In honor of the first anniversary of �Team Raiser,� people who make donations via the venture can enter to win the following prizes:

• FOR EACH $25 DONATION: People can enter a raffle to win a collection of autographed Playbills from All My Sons (signed by John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Patrick Wilson, Katie Holmes, and the entire company), Equus (signed by Daniel Radcliffe, Richard Griffiths, and the entire cast), and Shrek (autographed by Brian d�Arcy James, Sutton Foster, Christopher Sieber, Daniel Breaker, John Tartaglia and the entire Broadway company).
• FOR EACH $50 DONATION: People can enter a raffle to receive two roundtrip plane tickets to anywhere in the continental United States courtesy of Continental Airlines, the official airlines of BC/EFA.
• FOR EACH $100 DONATION: People are given the opportunity to enter a raffle to win a New York City weekend getaway. The winner will receive two round trip plane tickets from anywhere in the continental US to New York courtesy Continental Airlines, the official airlines of BC/EFA; a two night stay at a New York City hotel; and two VIP house seats to the show of their choice.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to be eligible for the raffles, donations via �Team Raiser� must be made between Monday, 27 Oct (12:01 AM) and Sunday 7 Dec (11:59 PM). One winner will be chosen per price break. Raffle winners will be drawn on Wed 10 Dec. Certain restrictions apply.

Cited as �possibly the season�s most dazzling talent show,� the Gypsy of the Year competition, the all-singing, all-dancing, all-dishing extravaganza, is easily the biggest party in town! Organizers of the event are expecting performers from Broadway and Off-Broadway�s biggest and most lavish productions.

The Gypsy of the Year competition is the culmination of six weeks of fund raising when shows on and Off-Broadway engage in a friendly competition to see which show can raise the most money for the organization. Awards are presented to the companies that raise the most money and for the winning presentation.

To buy tickets to Gypsy of the Year: VIP and Priority tickets ($350 and $200) and other tickets ($110/$40/$20) can be purchased online at www.BroadwayCares.org, in person at BC/EFA (165 West 46th Street, Suite 1300), by phone at (212) 840-0770, or at the door the day of the event.

TO DONATE VIA �TEAM RAISER� OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: visit www.BroadwayCares.org or call (212) 840-0770 ext. 268.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation�s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grants making organization. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes and other critical illnesses across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $150 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses.

BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors� Fund � including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women�s Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic at The Aurora in NYC, The Dancers� Resource and two supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations yearly.

Gypsy of the Year competition is sponsored by Continental Airlines, the official airline of BC/EFA, The M�A�C AIDS Fund and The New York Times.

For tickets and further information click here.