{"id":4714,"date":"2018-12-22T15:20:29","date_gmt":"2018-12-22T20:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=4714"},"modified":"2018-12-24T11:23:49","modified_gmt":"2018-12-24T16:23:49","slug":"building-on-tradition-red-bucket-follies-2018-benefits-broadway-cares-equity-fights-aids-with-song-and-dance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=4714","title":{"rendered":"Building on Tradition, \u201cRed Bucket Follies 2018\u201d Benefits Broadway Cares\/Equity Fights AIDS With Song and Dance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"By Brad Balfour<\/em><\/p>\n

When a friend offered me two \u201cRed Bucket Follies\u201d tickets, I said sure, and then asked, \u201cWhat the hell is that?\u201d I soon learned that this seasonal variety show offered a unique set of song-and-dance numbers especially produced for the event by Broadway Cares\/Equity Fights AIDS (BC\/EFA) \u2014 one of the nation\u2019s leading AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations.<\/p>\n

This highly respected non-profit draws on the talents and resources of the American theatre community. Since 1988, it has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States. The major supporter of social service programs at The Actors Fund (which includes the HIV\/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women\u2019s Health Initiative and the Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts), BC\/EFA also awards grants annually to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., providing lifesaving medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency assistance. <\/p>\n

Since 1989, 29 editions of \u201cGypsy of the Year\u201d shows raised money to benefit BC\/EFA (\u201cGypsy\u201d is ancient theater slang for the \u201cchorus girls\u201d and \u201cchorus boys\u201d \u2013- ensemble players — who move from show to show). This year, the event\u2019s recently renamed successor, \u201cRed Bucket Follies\u201d, built on that tradition with a two-day variety show uniquely focused on talents from Broadway\u2019s community \u2014 especially those in various musicals. <\/p>\n

Throughout the season, ensemble members reach out to audiences for donations to these charities. The \u201cred bucket\u201d refers to what various cast members hold as a way to collect contributions to worthy causes made as audiences are leaving a show.<\/p>\n

Six weeks of fundraising culminated in the extravaganza I saw with exceptional ensembles and one-of-a-kind performances. These were held in Broadway\u2019s New Amsterdam Theatre on Monday, December 3rd (at 4:30 pm) and on Tuesday, December 4th (at 2 pm), 2018. Showcasing ensemble members, swings and company dancers, the performers shared original numbers with various special guests. On the second day, awards were given for the best musical presentation overall, as well as for the top fundraising results from Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring shows for their six weeks\u2019 of fund-raising effort. <\/p>\n

Sponsored by The New York Times and United Airlines, “Red Bucket Follies” built on its original “Gypsy of the Year Competition” legacy. The inaugural night offered quite a range of performances from pure dance routines set to recorded music to comic sketches by Seth Rudetsky, the event\u2019s MC and ultimate Broadway buff. The host of SiriusXM\u2019s \u201cOn Broadway\u201d channel, he returned to lead the festivities for the 11th year. <\/p>\n

Having joined my friend, Mike Greenly, at the show \u2014 he\u2019s a long-time supporter who has attended these productions many times before \u2014 Mike noted that, \u201cRudetsky was a phenomenal host \u2014 funny, smart and drenched with his in-depth knowledge of vocal techniques and theater tradition. He\u2019s always as educational as he is entertaining.\u201d <\/p>\n

One matter which Broadway has long been ahead of the curve is that of diversity. This year\u2019s focus embraced the Asian-American legacy on Broadway. The opening number \u2014celebrated the trailblazing production of \u201cFlower Drum Song\u201d (on its 60th anniversary); members of its original 1958 Broadway cast, the 1961 movie and first road company joined actors from the 2002 revival company and the first national touring company for a once-in-a-lifetime reunion. The rousing performance hailed both Broadway\u2019s multi-cultural community and the diversity among Asian-Americans. Conceived by Lainie Sakakura and Telly Leung \u2014 directed and choreographed by Alex Sanchez \u2014 such legends as Baayork Lee (who was also in the original \u201cA Chorus Line\u201d) hit the stage, showing that no matter how old a performer may be, they can remain quite the hoofer. In all, more than 40 Asian performers were onstage including Sandra Allen, Marcus Choi, Ali Ewoldt, Ericka Hunter, Alvin Y. F. Ing, Jose Llana, Jodi Long, Ashley Park and Leung himself. <\/p>\n

With the whole event directed by Jason Trubitt (and helped by production stage manager Matthew Kurtis Lutz and music director Ted Arthur), this year\u2019s songs, skits and dances featured more than 150 performers from such shows as \u201cChicago,\u201d \u201cFrozen,\u201d \u201cHamilton,\u201d \u201cKinky Boots,\u201d \u201cThe Lion King,\u201d and \u201cWicked,\u201d as well as Off-Broadway\u2019s \u201cAvenue Q,\u201d \u201cFiddler on the Roof – in Yiddish\u201d and \u201cNEWSical The Musical.\u201d<\/p>\n

India Bolds, Rosie Lani Fiedelman and Pia Hamilton of \u201cThe Lion King\u201d presented an emotional dance set to recordings from the Senate testimony of Anita Hill and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Choreographed by Ray Mercer, it closed with the piercing statement, \u201cIt\u2019s time to listen to women.\u201d<\/p>\n

Representing Dancers Responding to AIDS \u2014 a BC\/EFA program \u2014 choreographer Billy Griffin showcased an original piece that had been created for this year\u2019s Hudson Valley Dance Festival. They performed a remarkable piece set to Peggy Lee\u2019s big hit, \u201cIs That All There Is\u201d \u2014 a wonderfully wistful song that offers an attitude towards life that we all should have. As my friend remarked to me, \u201cThat was a big hit back in 1969 when I was a newbie to NYC, basking in the culture that defines this marvelous town. But it was a hit once again at the Red Bucket Follies, re-invented for this special evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

That wasn\u2019t the only great moment through this magical two-plus hours of theatrical bliss. As Mike and I agreed, there were several highlights that have to be mentioned. We both loved the way the cast of \u201cChicago\u201d brought tap dance to life.<\/p>\n

And as he added, \u201cThroughout the night I heard classics re-discovered and transformed with artistry and zest. Some of my favorites were from outside the theater world\u2026 including dance numbers performed to songs like \u2018Survivor\u2019 by Beyonce and \u2018Shape of You\u2019 by Ed Sheeran.\u201d<\/p>\n

The show also included a number directed and choreographed by \u201dHamilton\u201d cast member Karla Puno Garcia, which honored national touring shows that participated in the fall fundraising drive. Also featured was a tribute to Broadway Cares\u2019 iconic red buckets (directed and choreographed by Chaz Wolcott). <\/p>\n

Even the Yiddish language \u2014 once a source and inspiration for many a theatrical production \u2014 was heard from a performance by troupe of \u201cFiddler on the Roof \u2014 in Yiddish.\u201d And on a perfect note, the night concluded with \u201cHamilton\u201d cast members performed a stirring dance to \u201cCheering for Me Now;\u201d its creator Lin Manuel Miranda wrote the lyrics (celebrating NYC) to a melody by John Kander \u2014 the legendary producer and composer of \u201cCabaret\u201d and \u201cChicago\u201d \u2014 as one of his monthly viral \u201cHamil-drops.\u201d<\/p>\n

A distinguished panel of judges awarded best presentation honors on the following day. This year’s judges were: music supervisor Mary-Mitchell Campbell (\u201cMean Girls\u201d, \u201cThe Prom\u201d); Ali Ewoldt and Jay Armstrong Johnson (\u201cThe Phantom of the Opera\u201d); the legendary Rosemary Harris (\u201cMy Fair Lady\u201d); Andy Karl and Orfeh (\u201cPretty Woman\u201d); Caitlin Kinnunen and Isabelle McCalla (\u201cThe Prom\u201d); Peppermint (\u201cHead Over Heels\u201d) and Nicolette Robinson (\u201cWaitress\u201d). Also joining them were Nathan Noh and Peg Wendlandt who won their spots by bidding on exclusive VIP packages at the 32nd Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction in September.<\/p>\n

A total of 67 Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring productions (up from 56 last year) raised a collective $6,113,301 \u2014 the highest fall fundraising total in the organization\u2019s 30-year history. The record was announced Tuesday by special guests Cherry Jones, Christopher Sieber and Michael Urie who also presented awards for the top fundraisers and best performances across the two afternoons. The \u201cAngelica\u201d leg of the \u201cHamilton\u201d tour was named the top overall fundraiser, collecting $515,152. The hit musical was also Broadway\u2019s top fundraiser, with the New York company raising $414,971. As it prepares for its final bows next April after six unforgettable years, \u201cKinky Boots\u201d was awarded this year\u2019s Best Onstage Presentation for its parody of Frank Sinatra\u2019s \u201cMy Way.\u201d Dressed in their \u201cTrue Colors\u201d \u2014a rainbow of head-to-toe spandex bodysuits \u2014 the cast performed its farcical rendition as they lamented saying goodbye.<\/p>\n

The company of \u201cFrozen was runner-up with a glorious dance piece \u2014 choreographed by Donald Jones Jr. \u2014 set to VV Brown\u2019s \u201cWhat We All Need Now More than Anything is to See People Enjoying Each Other.\u201d<\/p>\n

And once again, another aspect of the fundraising came with the commemorative ornament sold during this holiday period. This year, as the fabulous Harvey Fierstein proved in the musical \u201cHairspray,\u201d he makes a great woman and a great ornament. Bedazzled in colorful stripes and glitter, Harvey\u2019s Tony\u00ae-winning Edna Turnblad character becomes the 11th ornament in BC\/EFA\u2019s Broadway Legends series \u2014 designed by Glen Hanson with the Christopher Radko Company. It\u2019s also for sale at their website.<\/p>\n

Below is the list of top fundraisers:<\/p>\n

Top Overall Fundraiser
\nHamilton \u2013 Angelica Tour ($515,152)<\/p>\n

Broadway Musical<\/strong>
\nTop Fundraiser: Hamilton ($313,971)
\nFirst Runner-Up: Mean Girls ($202,769)
\nSecond Runner-Up: Dear Evan Hansen ($170,061)
\nThird Runner-Up: The Lion King ($162,109)<\/p>\n

Broadway Play<\/strong>
\nTop Fundraiser: The Lifespan of a Fact ($257,653)<\/p>\n

Off-Broadway (Play or Musical)<\/strong>
\nTop Fundraiser: Fiddler on the Roof \u2013 in Yiddish ($42,053)
\nFirst Runner-Up: Jersey Boys ($37,193)<\/p>\n

National Tours<\/strong>
\nTop Fundraiser: Wicked \u2013 Munchkinland ($324,945)
\nFirst Runner-Up: Dear Evan Hansen ($305,412)
\nSecond Runner-Up: Waitress ($231,020)
\nThird Runner-Up: Come From Away ($216,050)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

For more information, visit broadwaycares.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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