Broadway Cares/Equity Fights will hold their annual "Broadway Bears" charity event on Feb 11 at 8 PM at the Hudson Theatre (145 W. 44th St. In Manhattan). As usual, the auction will feature dozens of stuffed bears, each decked out in the fashion of a particular theatre production or personality, and signed by the artist the bear resembles. In the weeks leading up to the auction, Playbill On-Line will feature a different Broadway Bear each day. The bears are also being previewed on-line at www.BroadwayCares.org. For reservations call (212) 840-0770, ext. 268. For information on the auction, call (212) 840 0770, ext. 268.
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The Witch from Into the Woods
Original Costume Designer: Ann Hould-Ward
Bear Costume Designer: Barbara Beccio with the assistance of: Nancy Cronin (hands, feet and wig)
Signed by Bernadette Peters and Stephen Sondheim
You don't want to "mess around with [her] greens" (or the beans…) - and you don't want to mess around with her! Before this extraordinary bear (based on the character originated by Bearnadette Peters) was fitted for her Act I velvet dress and cape, she had extensive body-sculpting. All the stuffing was removed: her legs were lengthened, her waist was cinched, and breasts and a humpback were added. A wire armature was inserted and now supports the body and limbs. Her paws were replaced with hands and feet soft-sculpted from batting and layers of stocking. The wild gray hair and eyebrows on her head are made of soft mohair. Beneath her dress, she wears a corset (boned with wooden coffee-stirrers) to give her shape. (When the costume was distressed, the bones were also broken slightly!) The dress itself, accented with pearls and flowers, is a burnout velvet over shantung, with many layers of colored- and metallic-tulle ruffles cascading down the skirt back. She carries a wooden staff, and hanging from her shoulder is a brown velvet bag with an antique button - ready to hold the makings of any magic potion. The trees on her black velvet cape have been reverse-dyed with bleach, and couched with multi-textured yarns. A metallic black/gold lining adds a feeling of magic to this genuinely bewitching bear! Make her magic yours: "Heed the Witch!"
