by Mike Haber | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
BREAKING NEWS: Due to still taking slow and steady COVID-19 safety protocols as more shows start returning, it has just been announced that
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will NOT be doing their Fall edition of its Audience Appeal RED BUCKETS Fundraising. However, it is expecting to return for the Spring of 2022.
For those who may not know, the Audience Appeal RED BUCKETS fundraiser happens TWICE a year in the Broadway and Live Theater community where all the shows come together for a friendly 6-Week competition to raise the most money for BC/EFA. It happens during the Fall (usually end of October – early December) and the Spring (usually end of March-April) of each Theater season. After a performance during the curtain call, a cast member comes forward with a speech talking about BC/EFA, the fundraiser, and encouraging Theatergoers to donate what they got. Several cast members usually will hang out in the back of the auditorium “guarding the exits” holding the famous buckets. Along with the donations, they even sell some really unique items for sale (depending on how your budget is) that is usually NOT sold at the Merchandise stands in the Theater. Many of them include…
signed playbills and posters (for those who can’t stay afterwards to stage door),
possible cameo appearances in some of Broadway’s hottest shows,
Sometimes even during the speeches, there would be a LIVE AUCITION for unique items for sale even before the audience exits from signed score pieces, backstage tours, and even a post-show encore sing along.
Both these competitions lead up to 2 annual benefit competition variety shows the Theater community does. For the Fall, it would be for THE RED BUCKETS FOLLIES COMPETITION (formerly GYPSY OF THE YEAR) usually held at the New Amsterdam Theatre. For the Spring, it would be THE EASTER BONNETT COMEPETION at the Minskoff Theatre. Both these competitions feature casts from both Broadway and Touring companies performing creative song and dance pieces. You never know what can go down….. from powerful tributes to hysterical musical parody spoofs (on another Broadway show, or even their own). The performances itself would be judged some familiar Broadway favorites in the audience. At the end of the competitions, the judges would come out presenting Awards for standout performances and the show that has raised the most money for BC/EFA.
Despite the Fall fundraising NOT happening this year, it still does NOT hurt for Broadway fans and supporters to donate whatever they have for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. No donations are too big or too small….. ever. This organization has helped so many people in need…. both dealing with HIV/AIDS, serious conditions, natural disasters, and even this past year and a half alone with the COVID-19 pandemic where they raised over millions of dollars alone. All of this helps those struggling have food, shelter, necessities, and so much more. For donate, they take CASH, CREDIT CARDS, & CHECKS (OH MY!). Let’s keep Broadway’s legacy alive and support those in need.
Stay Safe Broadway and BC/EFA!!!
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway-CaresEquity-Fights-AIDS-Aims-For-Spring-2022-Return-For-Red-Bucket-Audience-Appeals-20211018
by Mike Haber | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
Our hearts continue to light with so much love and joy as Broadway has been reopening all Fall long. There have been so many great moments the Theater community as done celebrating this huge triumphant comeback after 18-19 months darks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of our most recent favorite moment lately from a few weeks ago featured a surprise performance from ALL 3 shows from
Disney on Broadway back. In this video, you can see the Broadway casts of Disney’s
The Lion King and
Aladdin plus the National Tour of
Frozen all join forces to perform a special medley LIVE on
The View. The lineup in this performance features….
From
Frozen – Caroline Bowman as “Elsa” and Caroline Innerbichler as “Anna”.
Catch all 3 of these hottest shows back on stage where they belong!!!
WELCOME BACK DISNEY ON BROADWAY!!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
It’s not JUST YOUR IMAGINATION, it’s happening for real. Earlier this past weekend, the Tony winning smash hit
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The
Temptations officially returned to Broadway after 19 months dark due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are so happy to share with you footage from the show’s first historical performance back at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre.
Not only you see the company taking their well deserved bows back, the sold out crowd also got a surprise appearance by the real ONE AND ONLY still standing OG Temptations member Otis Williams.
WELCOME BACK AIN’T TOO PROUD!!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Broadway Audience, News, Shows
HELLO!!! The Tony and Grammy winning smash hit
The Book of Mormon is preparing to resume its mission on the Great Bright Way next month. It was just announced earlier this morning that the hit musical will be presenting a special FREE FAN DAY Performance!! It will be set for November 4th, 2021 at 8pm at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre….. just 1 DAY before the show actually reopens on Broadway on November 5th, 2021. This beloved musical comedy had special performances throughout the 10+ years but this one is very special…. it’s a promising celebration of being together with loved ones and special people in our lives.
To enter on how to enter to win tickets to be part of this history making return, visit the show’s website and spread love to the special mission partner in your life.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THE-BOOK-OF-MORMON-Celebrates-Broadways-Return-With-A-Free-Fan-Performance-on-November-4-20211018
by Mike Haber | Oct 17, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, off broadway, Shows
BREAKING NEWS: Get ready to WALK LIKE A MAN and ring in THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. It has just been announced that The Midtown Men are making their way back on the road with a brand new concert tour bringing the magic of the holiday season with a 1960’s vibe.
Their new HOLIDAYS HITS concert will feature spectacular rock n’roll updated takes on your favorite Christmas songs given that classic 1960’s style. You can also expect some notable tunes from Jersey Boys and so much more of the best from the 60’s. The tour will be a mix of shows with their touring band and some of the world’s biggest symphony orchestras.
The tour will kick off November 28th, 2021 in Notre Dame, IN before making their way to the following cities….
Red Bank, NJ
Clinton Township, MI,
New Wilmington, PA,
Toledo, OH,
Englewood, NJ,
Elyria, OH,
New Philadelphia, OH,
and
Costa Mesa, CA.
In case anyone may not know, THE MIDTOWN MEN is a cover band that pays tribute to the greatest hits of music from the 1960’s. It’s made up of 4 members from of the original Broadway cast of the Tony and Grammy winning smash hit Jersey Boys. This consists of….
Michael Longoria (OGÂ Joe Pesci, alternate & 1st Broadway replacement “Frankie Valli“)
Daniel Reichard (OG “Bob Gaudio“),
Tony winner Christian Hoff (OG “Tommy DeVito“),
and
Tony nominee J Robert Spencer (OG “Nick Massi”)
Don’t miss THE MIDTOWN MEN in a city near you giving some holiday cheer.
Who is excited?!!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 17, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
SO TOGETHER LIKE A HAND IN A GLOVE, LIKE PAGES IN A LETTER! The new jukebox musical I’LL BE THERE (featuring the songs of The
Four Tops) is set to make its way to the Great Bright Way. But prior before its debut here in the Big Apple, the show will be having its World Premiere out-of-town tryout in where it all began for
Motown Records……. Detroit, Michigan!! The run there is set for Fall 2022. Official dates will be revealed soon.
I’LL BE THERE center on the The Four Tops original members Fakir along with Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton from their early beginnings in Detroit, Michigan as High School friends, their career taking off, their triumphs and tribulations, and their legacy that spanned over 4 decades. It will feature many of their greatest hits including……
I CAN’T HELP MYSELF (SUGAR PIE HONEY BUNCH),
REACH OUT (I’LL BE THERE),
BABY I NEED YOUR LOVING,
YOU KEEP RUNNING AWAY,
and
AIN’T NO WOMAN (LIKE THE ONE I’VE GOT).
This show joins the roster of many of the hottest tickets on the Great Bright Way set during the era of Motown including…..
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/ILL-BE-THERE-The-Four-Tops-Musical-to-Have-Pre-Broadway-Run-in-Detroit-20211017?fbclid=IwAR1yXnTlqCzadRXpsxZKOmREVuiVA4PmE-th3npdFbVdKEU55aj6FMBh6ao
