Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' annual Gypsy of the Year, the music- and dance-filled event that celebrates two months of curtain-call fundraising by the Broadway community, has undergone a title change in response to recent dialogue about the term “gypsy,” which earlier this year prompted Actors' Equity to rename the "Gypsy Robe" the "Legacy Robe."
The newly titled Red Bucket Follies will take place December 3 and 4 at the New Amsterdam Theatre, home to Disney’s Aladdin.
Read: NEW NAME REVEALED FOR BROADWAY ‘GYPSY ROBE’ CEREMONY
The change in title also reflects the efforts of Broadway cast members who hoof it from the stage into the theatre to greet audiences with the iconic red donation buckets that serve as “symbols of care, action and comfort,” according to BC/EFA.
“These are divided, contentious times,” said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. “Lines are drawn that few can or are willing to reach across in consensus. But the theatre community is known for love and acceptance, and the spirit of our events reflect that. Though it saddens me—and I know it will others—to rename this event, we do not want Broadway Cares to create division in our community. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ legacy is one of embrace, inclusion and bringing people together. Our commitment to those defining motivations is bigger and more important than a single word or the name of an event. Even with all the diverse opinions that go into any endeavor in this wildly creative, deeply caring and, yes, at times, contentious neighborhood, there are bigger battles we must take on together.”
Last year, 56 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national tours raised $5.6 million. Since 1989, the 29 editions of Gypsy of the Year raised $76 million to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Tickets to Red Bucket Follies will be available at BroadwayCares.org beginning Friday, October 19.
