Easter Bonnet Competion Raises $3,402,147 for BC/EFA

The 23rd annual Easter Bonnet Competition — which culminated in the two-day Broadway spectacular that featured the companies of 18 Broadway, off-Broadway and touring productions singing, dancing, and donning original Easter bonnets — has raised $3,402,147, to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.

The national tour of Rent raised the most money ($352,060), with 33 Variations leading the Broadway companies with $183,546, followed by Wicked ($176,714), Billy Elliot ($155,103), and Shrek ($139,304). Jane Fonda, Jeremy Irons, and Susan Sarandon presented the awards for top fund raising companies and the outstanding bonnet presentation, which went to the company of 33 Variations. The winning bonnet was designed by David Masenheimer.

Runners up for the bonnet presentation were Billy Elliot and Naked Boys Singing. A special award was also given to the top fundraising Off-Broadway company, Distracted ($31,819).

The Easter Bonnet judges included Laura Benanti, Brian D’Arcy James, Marsha Mason, Steven Pasquale, Alice Ripley, and the cast of God of Carnage: Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, Marcia Gay Harden, and James Gandolfini. This year’s hosts included Joan Allen, Danny Burstein, Andre De Shields, Tovah Feldshuh, Gavin Creel, Johanna Day, Rebecca Luker, Karen Olivo, Javier Munoz, Thomas Sadoski, Will Swenson, and John Tartaglia.

For more information, visit www.broadwaycares.org.