Benefit Haus

PHOTOS: James Franco, Idina Menzel, and Fran Drescher Get Into the Easter Bonnet Competition

Easter Bonnet 2014 Cranston Menzel Drescher Washington-photo by Monica Simoes

 

Idina Menzel, Denzel Washington, Bryan Cranston and Fran Drescher took the stage last Tuesday following the finale of two stunning Easter Bonnet Competition performances to announce the grand total of money raised this season for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Since it began in 1987, the annual event has raised more than $58 million for Broadway Cares. This year $4,532,129 was raised by 57 Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring companies. The Minskoff Theatre, home to Disney’s The Lion King, was packed for both performances which featured performances and 17 elaborate bonnets created by the companies of shows like Kinky Boots, Once, and Avenue Q. This year’s judges included Michael McKean, Carly Rae Jepson, Annie Potts and Anthony Rapp.

The company of The Lion King won best bonnet presentation.  After Midnight took runner-up honors while the special award for bonnet design was given to the company of OnceJames Franco, Christopher Sieber, Karen Ziemba, Leighton Meester, Tyne Daly and a variety of Broadway babies and veterans made special cameos and introductions throughout the presentation.

BC/EFA is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations and has raised more than $250 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Easter Bonnet 2014 Franco Meester ODowd-photo by Monica Simoes

Easter Bonnet 2014 Once-photo by Daniel Roberts

Easter Bonnet 2014 opening number-photo by Monica Simoes Easter Bonnet 2014 After Midnight-photo by Monica Simoes

Easter Bonnet 2014 Bryan Cranston-photo by Monica Simoes

Easter Bonnet 2014 Denzel Washington and Aymee Garcia of Avenue Q-photo by Monica Simoes Easter Bonnet 2014 Murder for Two-photo by Monica Simoes

 

Photography by Daniel Roberts and Monica Simoes

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