Broadway Cares' annual striptease event, Broadway Bares: Hit the Strip, was presented June 23 at the Hammerstein Ballroom and featured more than 200 of NYC’s most dazzling dancers in modern-day burlesque production numbers.
During two sold-out performances in a Las Vegas-inspired world of luxury, liberation, and love, the fundraiser brought in a record-breaking $2,259,134, besting the 2019 record of $2 million. Included in that total is the Stripathon, the online fundraiser led by the show’s cast and crew, which broke another record, taking in $1,155,133.
In Stripathon fundraising, dancer Mark MacKillop raised an all-time record of $212,625. His achievement was followed by top fundraiser Jennifer Geller, whose total hit $53,103. Runners-up included Steve Bratton at $29,615, Aydin Eyikan at $25,645, Katie Thrasher at $22,487 and Broadway Bares host committee member Steve Symonds at $19,342.
During the evening, Tony winner Alan Cumming also accepted presenting sponsor M•A•C Viva Glam’s check of $200,000 from Aida Moudachirou-Rebois, global general manager of M•A•C Cosmetics. Moudachirou-Rebois was accompanied by Sandy Joseph and César Silva, who represented the production’s more than 85 makeup artists. This year marks the 30th anniversary of M•A•C Viva Glam and its mission of supporting gender, sexual, racial, and environmental equality. Over the years, M•A•C has donated $5 million to Broadway Cares.
Check out photos from Broadway Bares: Hit the Strip in the gallery below.
Among the other stars who made appearances were Jay Armstrong Johnson (Parade), Taylor Iman Jones (The Lonely Few); Jelani Remy (Back to the Future: The Musical); Constantine Rousouli (Titanique); Johnny Sibilly (TV’s Hacks); and The Boy Band Project’s Jesse Corbin, John Edwards, Chris Messina, Travis Nesbitt, and Jesse Starrs.
Other stars taking part in the striptease were Amber Iman (Lempicka), Amber Ardolino (A Beautiful Noise), Ehizoje Azeke (In the Heights film), Kristina Doucette (Here Lies Love), burlesque star Jake DuPree, Aydin Eyikan (Wicked), Michael Graceffa (TV’s Welcome to Chippendales), longtime Broadway Bares director-choreographer-performer Nick Kenkel, Cajai Kennedy (Wicked), Wayne “Juice” Mackins (The Prom), Yani Marin (Bob Fosse’s Dancin’), Elliot Mattox (Titanique), Jimin Moon (Lempicka), Benjamin Rivera (Aladdin), Alvin Ailey School and Martha Graham Center instructor Ben Schultz, and Andrew Slane (TV’s The Other Two).
READ: Tony Nominee Amber Iman on Facing Her Fears for Broadway Bares
Kellen Stancil (The Lion King) directed this year's fundraiser. Joining Stancil were associate director Paula DeLuise and assistant director Andres Acosta. Bares founder, Tony winner Jerry Mitchell, and Kenkel were executive producers.
The choreographers lighting up the strip, in addition to Stancil, included John Alix, Mike Baerga, Phil Colgan, Karla Puno Garcia, Billy Griffin, Amber Jackson, Jonathan Lee, Leo Moctezuma, Rachelle Rak, Michael Lee Scott, and Maleek Washington.
The book for this year’s show was written by Hunter Bell, Steven Cutts, and Troy Britton Johnson.
Production stage manager Johnny Milani with Sarah Helgesen, T.J. Kearney, and Kassi Wilson led a team of 38 stage managers with more than 600 volunteers behind the scenes. Joel Shier was the production’s lighting designer, with sound design by Nick Borisjuk and scenic design by CJ Howard. Jeffrey Wallach was costume coordinator; Ian Joseph coordinated hair and wig design; and Caite Hevner managed video design.
Broadway Bares was created in 1992 by Mitchell during his time as a
Broadway dancer. Looking for a way to raise awareness and money for
those living with HIV/AIDS, Mitchell and six of his friends danced atop a
New York City bar and raised $8,000. Last year’s edition took in $1.88
million. Over the years, Broadway Bares has raised $28.7 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Broadway Cares is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 Broadway Cares has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
Broadway Bares: Hit the Strip T-shirts, hats, magnets, and posters are available by visiting BroadwayCares.org.