The best show on Broadway — well, one of the best shows — is only performed twice a year. It's the annual Gypsy of the Year show done to raise moola for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a most worthwhile charity. Its two performances are (usually) the first Monday and Tuesday of December and are performed in the late afternoon because many of the participants and audience members are in shows that perform those evenings, and the theater where the event is staged is usually hosting a current show. Pretty much everyone in the building is somehow involved in the theatrical community.
There are basically two components. Each current show on Broadway does a short sketch or song…often a parody of their show or someone else's but sometimes a serious presentation. Then at the end, awards are given out for the best offering but more importantly for the show that has raised the most money during the year for BC/EFA.
I have been to several of these and bought videos of others. They are tremendously entertaining. There's a lot of inside humor…inside for those inside the business. There's also a nice emphasis on the "gypsies" (chorus members) and supporting players. Often, the stars of a show will come in and play supporting roles to the folks who support them in the eight shows a week they all do together.
I missed this year's, which was held 12/6 and 12/7 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. It was hosted by Seth Rudetsky but also featured appearances by Bernadette Peters, Molly Shannon, Kristin Chenoweth, David Hyde Pierce, Sean Hayes and just about everyone else currently starring in anything in that neighborhood. Fortunately, we have a brief clip of some highlights here…
In the opening, you'll see a few moments of what was from all accounts a remarkable performance by Carol Channing, age 90. Good for her. Among the other clips, you'll also see a little salute to the tradition of the Gypsy Robe. If you don't know what the Gypsy Robe is all about, read this. Everything else should be self-explanatory. I'm sorry I wasn't there…
