Theater News

Jersey Boys, Oh, Hello Top 2016 Gypsy of the Year Fundraising

The annual event is presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Jersey Boys was the top fundraiser at the 2016 Gypsy of the Year competition.
Jersey Boys was the top fundraiser at the 2016 Gypsy of the Year competition.
(© Joan Marcus)

The 2016 edition of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Gypsy of the Year competition raised a grand total of $4,492,636, the organization has announced. The sum was revealed during the December 6 performance at the New Amsterdam Theatre, home of Broadway's Aladdin.

Gypsy of the Year is an annual tradition honoring the work of the theater's ensemble singers and dancers, commonly referred to as "gypsies." Throughout the two days of performances, 200 New York City gypsies and their special guests performed original skits, songs, and dances.

The top fundraisers included Broadway's Jersey Boys ($322,211) in the musical category and Oh, Hello on Broadway ($127,633) in the play category, as well as off-Broadway's Cagney ($28,215) and the Wicked Munchkinland tour ($268,802). The company of Hamilton took top honors for best onstage presentation, a mash-up of Bob Marley, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Langston Hughes called "America."

Since 1989, the 26 editions of Gypsy of the Year have raised $67.2 million to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Last year, 54 participating Broadway, off-Broadway, and national touring companies raised a record-breaking $4.8 million.