Viola Responds to “Gypsy” Post
Tom Viola, the hardworking and wonderful Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, has responded to my suggestion about the organization’s GYPSY OF THE YEAR competition. Here it is: “Thanks for covering the 20th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR on lemonwade. Glad you could be at the show. The presentations prepared by the Broadway and Off-Broadway companies for GYPSY OF THE YEAR – from the first in 1989 through yesterday afternoon’s show – have always been wildly diverse: comedic and bawdy; very heartfelt moving tributes; lovely vocals; riffs on other shows and, as you accurately describe “The Lion King” presentation – some phenomenal dancing.
For the event, BC/EFA produces what is the “framework” for the afternoon (no small feat in itself) from which we string, much like a necklace of beads,
all the shows presentations. We did consider at one point giving each
year’s show a specific theme or asking the casts to prepare all one type of
sketch or performance each year for the benefit of the judging. What we
quickly discovered is that the shows love the freedom to do whatever they
like, whatever suits their incredibly diverse and often unexpected and
unexplainable fancies. Hence the variety and an amazing array of talent,
energy, and incredible generosity of spirit.
You’re right, the brilliance of the dance presentations often carries the
day and wins the judges prize. As much as I love the humor, outright
ribbing and take-offs, I can’t imagine a show without the beautiful moments
of concert dance. I love the mix as, I think, does our audience, so many of
whom are from the shows who have been working so hard on the fundraising for the previous six weeks. The vaudeville of the show celebrates the fundraising and creatively allows some very talented people to “show off and shine” however they wish.
Hence, “no rules” rules and I suspect will carry the day for many a “Gypsy of the Year” to come. Or at least until Seth Rudetsky can figure out a way to
don a leotard and attempt to grande jete into the arms of some poor
unsuspecting dancer.
We might not let that happen more than once.
