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Broadway Barks is an annual animal charity event held in New York City to promote the adoption of shelter animals. Founded by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, the event has been held every July in Shubert Alley, starting in 1999. Performers, many from Broadway shows, present adoptable cats and dogs, with the participation of many animal groups from the New York City area.

Background

The event was founded in 1999 by Bernadette Peters with Mary Tyler Moore and others, who wanted to do "something for the animals" after a successful fund–raising campaign for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.[1][2] Performers, many appearing in Broadway shows, and other celebrities present cats and dogs from New York City and vicinity animal shelters for adoption.[3]

Peters received a special Tony Award in 2012, the Isabelle Stevenson Award for her work with Broadway Barks.[4] On August 21, 2012, Peters and Moore received a dedicated "Ride of Fame" bus on Gray Line New York. This honor "recognizes and honors leading New Yorkers and iconic New York establishments, whom they [Gray Line] identify as 'exemplary community figures and entities by bestowing a bus in their fleet to each dedicatee.' " The bus has a "custom decal" with Moore and Peters' likenesses as well as a Broadway Barks logo.[5]

The Adopt-a-thon

The event has been held every July since 1999 in Shubert Alley, the heart of the Broadway Theater District. The first adopt–a–thon was held on July 24, 1999, and benefitted five animal welfare shelters and groups: the ASPCA, Center for Animal Care & Control (CACC), Bide-a-Wee, Humane Society and North Shore Animal League. Performers such as Tom Wopat, Joel Grey, Andrea McArdle, and Edie Falco participated.[6] During the July 2007 event, more than 100 pets were adopted, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a proclamation making July 14, 2007 "Broadway Barks Day" in New York City.[7][8]

Broadway Barks has grown over the years until, by Broadway Barks 10 held on July 12, 2008, it benefitted some 25 animal adoption and welfare groups, with presenters such as Glenn Close, Phyllis Newman, Mario Lopez, and Nathan Lane introducing the adoptable animals.[9] Broadway Barks 11 was held on July 11, 2009, with the participation of and to benefit 26 animal adoption and welfare groups, including the ASPCA, BARC, and Long Island Greyhound Rescue. Many celebrity presenters attended, including Elizabeth Ashley, Michael Cerveris, David Hyde Pierce, Audra McDonald and Michael Urie.[10][11][12]

Broadway Barks 12 was held on July 10, 2010, and included the animal adoption and welfare groups ASPCA, BARC, Humane Society of New York and the North Shore Animal League. Included among the celebrity participants were John Dossett, Alexander Hanson, Sean Hayes, Jackie Hoffman, Karen Olivo, Katie Finneran, Tony Goldwyn, Ruthie Henshall, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Beth Leavel, Judy McLane, Jan Maxwell, Tony Shalhoub and Richard Thomas.[13][14][15] In honor of the event, the lights of the Empire State Building were lit in pink, purple and yellow.[16][17]

Broadway Barks 13 was held on July 9, 2011.[18] Performers from many of the Broadway shows presentered the adoptable animals: Nina Arianda and Michael McGrath (Born Yesterday); Heidi Blickenstaff, Jackie Hoffman, Bebe Neuwirth and Brad Oscar (The Addams Family); Steel Burkhardt, Matt DeAngelis, Josh Lamon, Paris Remillard and Kacie Sheik (Hair); Kerry Butler, Linda Hart and Aaron Tveit (Catch Me If You Can); Bobby Cannavale, Elizabeth Rodriguez and Yul Vázquez (The Motherf**ker With the Hat); Reeve Carney, T.V. Carpio, Jennifer Damiano, Isabel Keating and Patrick Page (Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark), Victoria Clark and Patina Miller (Sister Act), Paige Davis (Boeing-Boeing), Sutton Foster, Adam Godley, Joel Grey and John McMartin (Anything Goes), John Benjamin Hickey (The Normal Heart), Nikki M. James, Rory O'Malley and Andrew Rannells (The Book of Mormon), Beth Leavel (Baby It's You), Judy McLane (Mamma Mia!), Will Swenson (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and William Berloni, "trainer to Broadway’s four-legged stars and behavior consultant for the Humane Society of New York."[19]

Broadway Barks 14 was held on July 14, 2012. In addition to the celebrity presentation of adoptable cats and dogs, Peters autographed a new Broadway Barks calendar.[20] To acknowledge the event, Peters rang the NASDAQ closing bell on July 13, 2012.[21][22]

There were some 27 animal shelters and adoption agencies that participated, including the ASPCA, Mid Atlantic Great Dane, and Urban Cat League. Broadway and television performers presented the adoptable animals, such as Nina Arianda, Joel Grey, Megan Hilty, Anjelica Huston, Steve Kazee, Audra McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth and Ben Vereen.[23][24] Neuwirth jokingly remarked (in a newspaper article) "I’m the designated crazy cat lady." She has been at Broadway Barks every year to "help showcase the many cats available for adoption."[25]

Broadway Barks 15 was held on July 13, 2013.[26] Peters and Harvey Fierstein (substituting for Moore, who could not attend) co-hosted. Performers such as David Hyde Pierce, Sigourney Weaver, Andrew Rannells, Jane Lynch, and Billy Porter presented the adoptable animals.[27] Among the 27 shelters represented were Bobbi and the Strays, City Critters, The Humane Society of New York, Husky House, KittyKind, Loving Touch Animal Center, Manhattan Valley Cat Rescue, Metropolitan Maltese Rescue, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, NY Pet-I-Care, Pet ResQ, P.L.U.T.O. Rescue (Pet Lovers United Together as One), Russell Refuge, SaveKitty Foundation, Sean Casey Animal Rescue, Stray from the Heart, Tigger Foundation and Urban Cat League.[28]

Broadway Barks 16 was held on July 12, 2014 in Shubert Alley,[29] with hosts Peters and James Franco.[30] Performers from most shows on Broadway appeared, including Bullets Over Broadway, Matilda The Musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Cinderella, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Aladdin, Rocky and Of Mice and Men (and many more). Performers included Zach Braff, Bebe Neuwirth, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Will Swenson, and Danny Burstein.[31]

Broadway Barks 17 was held on July 11, 2015 in Shubert Alley, with Peters as host and special guest host Andrew Rannells. Many shelters participated, including ASPCA®, Adopt a Boxer Rescue, Animal Care and Control of NYC (AC&C), Animal Haven, Anjellicle Cat Rescue, BARC (Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition), Bideawee, Bobbi & the Strays, Humane Society of New York (HSNY), Manhattan Valley Cat Rescue, Metropolitan Maltese Rescue, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue, P.L.U.T.O. Rescue (Pet Lovers United Together As One), Sean Casey Animal Rescue, Stray from the Heart, Tigger Foundation and Urban Cat League.[32] Performers who participated in presenting the adoptable dogs and cats included Sierra Boggess, Christian Borle and the cast from Something Rotten, and Michael Cerveris and the cast from Fun Home.[33]

Benefits

Special benefit concert (2009)

Peters held a one-time-only concert, "A Special Concert for Broadway Barks Because Broadway Cares", at the Minskoff Theatre, New York City, on November 9, 2009 as a benefit for both Broadway Barks and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. The concert raised an estimated $615,000 for the two charities.[34][35][36]

Film

Alan Cumming wrote and directed a short film Ultimate Encore in 2015, which shows the newly renovated "Living Room" at the hotel W New York, in Times Square. The film raises funds and awareness for Broadway Barks. Cumming said: "...to be able to make a film that both celebrates the elevated version of Times Square that the newly renovated Living Room at W New York – Times Square represents and highlights the great pet adoption work of Broadway Barks was the perfect combo."[37]

Others

Daniel Reichard gave two concerts at Birdland on December 13 and 20, 2015, "Daniel Reichard's Under the Mistletoe!", to benefit Broadway Barks. Reichard said: "Having happily participated at the Broadway Barks adoption event in the past, I am so proud to further support this important organization. My dog has changed my life for the better."[38]

Tim Realbuto presents a concert "Tim Realbuto Is Inappropriate" at Birdland in New York on February 8, 2016, with a protion of the proceeds donated to Broadway Barks.[39]

Books and songs

Broadway Barks

To promote the charity, Peters wrote a children's picture book, Broadway Barks, with mixed-media collage illustrations by Liz Murphy.[40] The book was released in 2008 by Blue Apple Books and is designed for ages four through eight. It reached #5 on the New York Times Children's Best Sellers: Picture Books list for the week of June 8, 2008.[41] It tells the story of Douglas, an abandoned dog, as he follows a "pretty lady" (whose looks are similar to Peters) to a Broadway Barks pet adoption event in Shubert Alley in New York City. He takes his turn singing, but people laugh at him, hearing only barking. A girl named Isabelle understands that he is performing and adopts him, renaming him "Kramer."[42]

The book is accompanied by a CD, which has the story and a lullaby being read and sung by Peters herself. The lullaby, "Kramer's Song", has music and lyrics written by Peters.[43] Additionally, Kramer has a plush toy dog named after him; proceeds from sales of the toy go to the Broadway Barks charity.[44]

The mixed-breed dog named Kramer, who Peters adopted from a shelter, and her goddaughter Isabelle were the inspirations for the characters in the book.[43] The interactive book app for iPad was published, based on the book.[45]

Stella is a Star

Peters has written a second children's book named after her other dog, Stella, titled Stella is a Star, with illustrations again by Liz Murphy and including a CD with an original song, "Stella's Song," written and performed by Peters. Stella is a pit bull who would rather be a pig ballerina, but learns to accept herself. It was released in April 2010 by Blue Apple Books, with proceeds going to the Broadway Barks charity.[46][47] The CD also contains Peters' narration of the book.[48] Peters introduced the book with a reading (and also singing the song for Stella) at the L.A. Times Festival of Books, Los Angeles, California, on April 24, 2010.[49] She also participated in New York City's Learning Leaders Great School Volunteer Week by reading the book to pupils at a local New York City school in May 2010.[50]

Stella and Charlie Friends Forever

The third children's book, Stella and Charlie Friends Forever, tells the story of the shelter dog Charlie coming to live with adopted shelter dog Stella and their "mom", resulting in jealousy on Stella's part and the ultimate friendship that develops. Illustrations are by Liz Murphy. Peters introduced the book at a book signing on June 23, 2015 in New York City. The book will be released in August 2015.[51]

References

  1. ^ Donahue, Dick. "A New Tune for Bernadette Peters" Publishers Weekly, May 8, 2008
  2. ^ McNulty, Charles."Peters writes a new role for herself" Los Angeles Times, July 20, 2008
  3. ^ Blank, Matthew. "PHOTO SPECIAL: 'Pooches and Felines and Theatre Stars!' The Very Best of Broadway Barks! 2000-2013" playbill.com, July 9, 2014
  4. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Broadway's Big Night! Neil Patrick Harris Hosts 66th Annual Tony Awards June 10" playbill.com, June 10, 2012
  5. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore Will Be Honored Aug. 21" playbill.com, August 20, 2012
  6. ^ Szabo, Julia, "New York Pet: Peters' Pet Project", The New York Post, July 18, 1999, p. 59
  7. ^ "Broadway Barks 9 Was A Doggone Success" Broadwaycares.org
  8. ^ "Broadway Barks for a Good Cause July 14; Peters and Moore Co-Host" Playbill.com, July 14, 2007
  9. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Broadway Barks for a Good Cause July 12 in Shubert Alley" Playbill.com, July 12, 2008
  10. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Cavanaugh, Creel, Everett, Foster, Janney, Lansbury, Ripley and More Set for Broadway Barks 11" Playbill.com, May 28, 2009
  11. ^ Photo Gallery."Broadway Barks 11 in Shubert Alley" playbill.com, accessed July 13, 2009
  12. ^ McBride, Walter. "Photo Coverage: Broadway Barks 11 - Backstage Part One" Broadwayworld.com, July 13, 2009
  13. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Peters and Moore's Broadway Barks 12 to Feature Finneran, Glover, Leavel, Young" Playbill.com, June 11, 2010
  14. ^ Khodorkovsky, Irina. "Photo Call:Peters and Moore Present Broadway Barks 12" Playbill.com, July 11, 2010
  15. ^ News Desk."Photo Coverage Preview: Broadway Barks 2010". Broadwayworld.com, July 11, 2010
  16. ^ Mitchell. e."Pet Blogs" Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 11, 2010
  17. ^ "Facebook Broadway Barks". Broadwaybarks facebook.com, retrieved July 12, 2010
  18. ^ Gans, Andrew."John Benjamin Hickey, Kerry Butler, Beth Leavel, Bebe Neuwirth Join Broadway Barks Lineup" playbill.com, June 17, 2011
  19. ^ "Broadway Barks 13 Welcomes Two-Legged Stars And Their Four-Legged Friends" BroadwayCares.org, accessed July 26, 2011
  20. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Broadway Barks! 14 Will Feature Jeremy Jordan, Angela Lansbury, Steve Kazee, Audra McDonald and More". Playbill, June 19, 2012
  21. ^ Gioia, Michael. "Tony Winner Bernadette Peters Will Ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell July 13". Playbill, July 12, 2012
  22. ^ Gordon, David. "PHOTO FLASH: Bernadette Peters and Members of the ASPCA Ring NASDAQ Closing Bell" Theatermania.com, July 13, 2012
  23. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Broadway Barks! for a Good Cause in Shubert Alley July 14", Playbill, July 14, 2012
  24. ^ "Multimedia. Broadway Stars Join Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore for Broadway Barks, photos by Joseph Marzullo", Playbill, July 15, 2012
  25. ^ Sacks, Amy. "Bernadette Peters puts her heart into pet adoption drive in Shubert Alley", NYDailyNews.com, July 13, 2012
  26. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Victoria Clark, Billy Porter, Andrew Rannells, David Hyde Pierce and More Will Join Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters for Broadway Barks!" playbill.com, June 20, 2013
  27. ^ Alk, Nell. "Dogs and Cats Take Center Stage in Times Square" Wall Street Journal, July 14, 2013
  28. ^ "Barks 2013" broadwaycares.org, accessed July 2013
  29. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Broadway Barks 16 Sets July Date" playbill.com, June 9, 2014
  30. ^ Gordon, David. "Bernadette Peters, James Franco, Zach Braff, and More Go to the Dogs at Broadway Barks 16" theatermania.com, JUly 12, 2014
  31. ^ Hetrick, Adam and Gans, Andrew. "Audra McDonald, Andy Mientus, Sierra Boggess, Lena Hall and Zach Braff Set for Broadway Barks 16" playbill.com, June 23, 2014
  32. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Bernadette Peters and Andrew Rannells Will Host Broadway Barks Celebrity Participants Announced" playbill.com, June 29, 2015
  33. ^ Marzullo, Joseph. "See Broadway's Best Cuddle With Some Amazing Pooches at Broadway Barks 17, Hosted by Bernadette Peters and Andrew Rannells" playbill.com, July 12, 2015
  34. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Peters Concert Raises More Than Half-a Million for Charities". Playbill.com, November 10, 2009
  35. ^ Zielinski, Peter James. "Photo Coverage: 'Bernadette Peters: A Special Concert' - In Performance at the Minskoff Theatre" Broadwayworld.com, November 11, 2009
  36. ^ "Bernadette Peters: A Special Concert For Broadway Barks Because Broadway Cares Raises $615,000!" Broadwaycares.org, accessed June 9, 2010
  37. ^ Gambino, Joe. "New Alan Cumming Short Film, Starring Bernadette Peters, Raises Money for Broadway Barks (Plus Video)" playbill.com, December 4, 2015
  38. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Original Jersey Boys Star Daniel Reichard Sings to Benefit Broadway Barks; New EP Available, Too" playbill.com, December 13, 2015
  39. ^ Rickwald, Bethany. "Stephanie D'Abruzzo and More Set for Tim Realbuto Is Inappropriate" theatermania.com, January 13, 2016
  40. ^ Sokol, Robert."Going to the dogs (& cats)", Bay Area Reporter, July 24, 2008
  41. ^ "Children's Best Sellers: Picture Books: Sunday, June 8, 2008", The New York Times, June 8, 2008
  42. ^ "amazon.com listing" amazon.com
  43. ^ a b "Bernadette Peters: How Broadway Barks Became a Book for Kids" broadway.com, June 24, 2008
  44. ^ Gans, Andrew."Tony Winner Peters Debuts "Kramer Dog" at FAO Schwarz Nov. 8" playbill.com, November 8, 2008
  45. ^ "Broadway Barks" itunes.apple.com, accessed October 31, 2012
  46. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Dog Has Identity Crisis In New Bernadette Peters Book, Due in May". Playbill.com, March 19, 2010
  47. ^ Stella is a Star listing, ISBN 1-60905-008-8. Amazon.com, retrieved April 12, 2010
  48. ^ "Children’s Book Reviews: 4/12/2010". Publishers Weekly, April 12, 2010
  49. ^ Wiggins, Leslie A. "Pit Bull As Pig Princess? Bernadette Peters Acts Out Her Latest Children's Book". Los Angeles Times, April 24, 2010
  50. ^ Blank, Matthew."Photo Call: Bernadette Peters Reads to P.S. 111 Kids" playbill.com, May 26, 2010
  51. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Book Signing with Tony Winner Bernadette Peters Will Be Held in NYC" playbill.com, June 23, 2015
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