In the two and a half weeks since the 2011 Gypsy of the Year Competition took place at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York on Tuesday December 5^th--a yearly event that culminates in the completion of a six week fund-raising drive by Broadway, off-Broadway and national touring shows--Hugh Jackman, who was the top money raiser with $850,000, continues to raise money nightly at his show on Broadway. Committed to raising one and a half million dollars by the time he closes at the end of the year, Hugh should have no problem reaching his goal. Auctioning off the tee shirts he wears during the performance of his show (one from the first act and the other from the second), Hugh has audience members bidding for the opportunity to pick up the tee shirt backstage, have it signed, and receive a picture with the man himself. The bidding each night has gone from an average of $10,000 a tee shirt to a high of $25,000. Additionally, people are lining up backstage with $2000 in hand to get their picture taken with Hugh. With so much disposable income still seemingly available in today’s oppressed economy, it’s gratifying, at the very least, to see the money going to a great cause such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.

Hugh Jackman has been a shining light on the Broadway fall season and his appearance at the 23^rd Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition capped a star-studded, entertaining afternoon overflowing with creativity, laughter, astonishment, surprises and nostalgia. It has to rank as one of the best shows in many years. Congratulations all around to everyone who participated in the event.
Nostalgia began the show with members of the original 1972 Broadway cast of Grease performing the opening number. With the 40^th anniversary of the musical upcoming early next year, it was a delight to see the cast reunite and “go together like rama lama lama ke ding a de dinga a dong” once again as they performed a medley from the musical. Led by Barry Bostwick as Danny Zuko, Carole Demas as Sandy Dumbrowsky, Andrianne Barbeau as Betty Rizzo, Walter Bobbie as Roger and Alan Paul as Johnny Casino/Teen Angel, among others, they all sang, danced and looked as if half that many years had actually gone by. The years have been kind and look how successful many of them have become.