Twice a year, an organization called Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids leads a fundraising drive to collect for people living with AIDS/HIV. The fundraising culminates in The Easter Bonnet in the spring and Gypsy of the Year in the fall, where each show puts together a small production number (usually funny or moving) and the totals of each shows fundraising is announced. Since 1987, over $100million has been raised.
In Little Women, James Darrah (assistant stage manager/Bhaer-Laurence standby) has been the pointman for the fundraising. For those 6 weeks, after the company bow, Maureen announces that she's moving out to the lobby and introduces Luisa Flaningham as having a favor to ask. Luisa explains to the audience what we're doing and that Maureen has recorded a new cd songcard called "Help is on the Way" (a very moving song, btw) which she will personalize for a minimum donation in the lobby.
Our show has collected, in the past 6 weeks,over $30,000. A dollar at a time. Every little bit helps.
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Congratulations on earning so many funds! I'm so supportive. Keep up the good work. Can you order/purchase "Help is on the Way" online? I'd love to do my part and support the cause!
Thank you for the updates! They're wonderful! :-)
Posted by: Katie Rose | April 26, 2006 at 04:48 PM
Hello, Mr. Varela! I thought I'd check out the blog... no updates for a while! Are you all getting settled in Cleveland? Is Oscar's cast off? Any more poker nights, tea parties, fender-benders, etc.? :-) With theatrical aspirations, I love hearing about the touring life! Happy Performing!
Posted by: Katie Rose | May 09, 2006 at 12:38 PM
congrats for the $30,000!!! and thanks for letting us know
Posted by: kk | May 10, 2006 at 08:22 PM