Photo File

TheaterMania was on hand for two recent, high-profile benefits: the November 10 Hair Cares event, in which the cast of Hairspray performed songs not from the show at Le Bar Bat to raise funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS; and the following evening’s Deborah Voigt on Broadway: Opera’s Leading Lady Meets Broadway’s Leading Men at the Ford Center, a benefit for BC/EFA, Performing Arts Against AIDS, and Classical Action. We also caught various celebs at last night’s opening of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway and other events. Here are the shots:

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Dick Latessa and Harvey Fierstein sing “It Couldn’t Please Me More” from Cabaret at the “Hair Cares” benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Among the other Hairpray cast members who performed at “Hair Cares” were (l-r) Shoshana Bean, Shayna Steele, and Kamilah Martin

Another “Hair Cares” participant: Matthew Morrison, who plays Link Larkin in Hairspray

A boy and his song: Adam Fleming sings his heart out at “Hair Cares”

Carol Channing caught a performance of Forbidden Broadway, then visited with the cast. Here she is with Donna English, done-up as Channing in Hello, Dolly!

The diva relaxes: Deborah Voigt at Vice-Versa restaurant after the one-night-only, November 11 performance of Deborah Voigt on Broadway: Opera’s Leading Lady Meets Broadway’s Leading Men, in which she appeared with Malcolm Gets, Howard McGillin, Adam Pascal, Patrick Wilson, and Tom Wopat

On hand for Voigt’s show and for the party afterwards: Rob Marshall, director of the hotly anticipated film version of Chicago

Gina Gershon wearing Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, attending the Accessories Council Excellence (ACE) Awards at Cipriani 42nd Street on November 5

At the opening of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway: Poetri, Lemon, and actress Vanessa Williams (the other one)

Russell Simmons with his wife, Kimora Lee Simmons

Def Poetry attendee Cynthia Nixon

Ja Rule (r) with Bruce Willis and Russell Simmons