Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has come up with a lot of innovative and unusual ways to raise money in the last half century, from Broadway Bears (an auction of teddy bears dressed up like Broadway stars) to Broadway Bares (a burlesque revue with fit Broadway dancers). Their latest, Broadway Bets, a poker tournament at Sardi’s theatrical restaurant, will return for its second year May 16.
The event is open to the public—first-time players are welcome—with proceeds going to the fight against AIDS. Sardi's restaurant is located at 234 West 44th Street near Times Square.
The inaugural event raised $137,200 in 2015.
Among this year's corporate and business sponsors, Broadway’s The Humans, nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Play, will be the evening’s “Royal Flush” bar sponsor.
The collection of “Full House” sponsors, who have purchased full tables for 2016, includes AKA, Ambassador Theatre Group, The Araca Group, Foresight Theatrical, John Gore/Broadway.com, Independent Presenters Network, Jujamcyn Theaters, The Nederlander Organization, The Road Company, Road Concierge/ALTOUR, Serino/Coyne, The Shubert Organization, Situation Interactive and SpotCo.
“Two Pair” sponsors, purchasing half tables, include Disney Theatrical Productions, Entertainment Benefits Group, Production Resource Group, theatre producer David Stone, Sweet Hospitality Group and Ticketmaster.
Celebrity players are expected to be announced. Among Broadway celebrities who took part in 2015 were Tony Yazbeck, Patrick Page, Richard Kind, Paige Davis, Eric Bogosian and Anthony Rapp.
Ths year's event is co-chaired by Lauren Reid, CEO of the theatre division at Key Brand Entertainment, and Al Nocciolino, president & CEO of NAC Entertainment Ltd. Paul Libin, executive vice president of Jujamcyn Theaters and BC/EFA Board of Trustees president, and Robert E. Wankel, president and co-CEO of The Shubert Organization and BC/EFA executive vice president, serve as founding co-chairs.
Micah Hollingworth of Jujamcyn Theaters, Mark Shacket of Foresight Theatrical and Brett Sirota of The Road Company will serve as tournament directors.
