Stars, Insiders and Fans Push Broadway Bets to Break Records
High energy, enthusiasm and a night of incredible fundraising were dealt in spades when Broadway stars, industry insiders and fans raised a record $295,100 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on Monday, May 14, 2018, at the fourth edition of Broadway Bets,
Broadway’s official poker tournament.
The jaw-dropping total was raised in a spirited evening of Texas Hold ‘em poker at Sardi’s restaurant in the heart of New York City’s theatre district. Broadway Bets gives theatre professionals and loyal Broadway Cares supporters the opportunity to participate in a friendly poker tournament while helping people in need across the country.
The event was a full house with luminaries from across the industry, including actors, theatrical advertising agency executives, theatre owners, producers and professional poker players. Among the stars of stage and screen upping the ante as players were Eric Bogosian, 2018 Tony Award nominee Michael Cera, Josh Charles, Billy Crudup, Richard Kind, Brian Koppelman, Steve Martin, Toby Leonard Moore, Justin Sargent, Kyle Selig, Tony Yazbeck and Rick Younger. They were joined by poker pros Andy Frankenberger and Maria Konnikova.
Stars who did not go “all in” but instead enjoyed Broadway Bets social passes, which included snacks, socializing and blackjack, craps and roulette for prizes, were actors Lilli Cooper, Robert Creighton, Laurie Metcalf and Danny Skinner.
Broadway Bets started with 26 Texas Hold ‘em poker tables and 258 card players filling two floors of the iconic restaurant before 10 players perfected their poker faces and reached the championship table.
See photos and read more at BC/EFA.