World AIDS Day 2010

I know it sounds strange to say that I enjoy being asked for money but I look forward to those pitches for donations to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS when I'm at a show.

Since it's World AIDS Day 2010, here's a pitch from me.

At the end of 2009, there were 33 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, about 1 million of them in the United States. An estimated 56,300 Americans become infected every year.

This year's United Nations report offers some encouraging statistics: worldwide, the number of people newly infected with HIV is declining and AIDS-related deaths are decreasing.

But much work remains, including caring for people who are living with the disease.

Whenever I go to the theatre at this time of year I always make sure that I have a little extra cash to drop in the bucket if the cast is collecting for Broadway Cares. (Touring productions of Broadway shows often collect donations, too.)

The organization will award about $10 million in grants in 2010 to groups in nearly every state and around the world. Broadway Cares supports health clinics, food service and meal delivery, housing and emergency assistance. Most likely an organization near you receives help.

Broadway Cares also supports other organizations that provide services to performing artists, including the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, the Al Hirschfeld Free Clinic and resources for actors and dancers.

While they're serious about the organization's good work, the requests for donations at the curtain call are often done with a sense of humor. In 2008, I watched Daniel Radcliffe auction off a sweaty polo shirt he wore during Equus.

This fall, David Hyde Pierce was ready with a few witty one-liners after La Bete. (He should host the Tony Awards!) And it was sweet to see 12-year-old Jeremy Gumbs, the youngest cast member of The Scottsboro Boys, smile broadly at the curtain call after playing a very serious role so well. He was so incredible in the musical that it was almost startling to realize yeah, he's a kid.

But I have to give the prize to the cast of Lombardi. Bill Dawes, who plays Green Bay Packer Paul Hornung, had us laughing hysterically. And Dan Lauria was pretty funny, too, staying in character as the legendary Packers coach.

I got an autographed Playbill for $20 (a color one!) and I saw quite a few people walking out of the theatre with $100 signed window cards. But any amount helps.

I'm happy to support an organization that helps so many people and it's my way of saying thank-you to the people whose work I've enjoyed all year long. That includes everyone who works onstage and backstage and without whom, the show would not go on.

Broadway Cares also has an online store with lots of great ideas for gifts for Christmas, Chanukah or any time of year.

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day and Broadway theatres will dim their lights for one minute at 8 p.m. to remember those lost to the disease. They'll be turned back on "to emphasize human rights for those living with HIV/AIDS around the world."

There are 33.4 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, including approximately 1.2 million in the United States. The vast majority, about 22 million people, are in sub-Saharan Africa.

If you're a theatre fan, here's something you can do to help.

Whenever I go to a show at this time of year I always make sure I have a little extra cash to drop in the bucket if the cast is collecting for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. (And of course, a credit card just in case someone auctions off an article of clothing I'd like to have.)

In 2009, Broadway Cares will distribute $7.9 million to groups in nearly every state and around the world. The money you donate helps pay for free health clinics, for food service and meal delivery programs, for housing and emergency assistance and a host of other vital services. Most likely an organization in your community is helped.

Sure, I've already paid quite a bit for my ticket but this just my way of saying thank-you to the people whose work I've enjoyed all year long. That includes everyone who works onstage and backstage and without whom, the show would not go on.

World AIDS Day 2008

Today is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, and bloggers around the world are uniting to raise awareness of the disease.

I'll always remember when David Hyde Pierce broke the fourth wall at the end of the Broadway musical Curtains to ask for donations to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Of course, I knew about the organization and all of the good work it does. Since its founding in 1988, Broadway Cares has raised over $140 million for critically needed services across the United States for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses.

Still, there was something startling - in a good way - about having an actor who'd been playing a character a minute earlier address the audience as, well, himself. It was a reminder that Broadway is a community that includes not just the performers on stage and people who work behind the scenes but those of us who sit in the audience as well.

Today is another chance to be part of a community.

So please consider making a donation to Broadway Cares or another AIDS-related charity. (Also, check out the great online store at the Broadway Cares Web site, which has gift ideas for all of your holiday shopping needs.)

If that's not possible, and I realize it may not be in this difficult economic climate with so many worthwhile organizations making requests, take a few minutes to learn about the disease and the impact it's having around the world, especially in Africa.

Worldwide, more than 33 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, including more than 1 million Americans. Sub-Saharan Africa is more heavily affected than any other region. In three countries - Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland - the HIV rate exceeds 20 percent of the population.