Broadway Barks
Encyclopedia
Broadway Barks is an annual animal charity
event held in New York City
to promote the adoption of shelter animals. The event has been held every July in Shubert Alley
, starting in 1999.
with her friend 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
. Performers, many appearing in Broadway shows, and other celebrities present cats and dogs from New York City and vicinity animal shelters for adoption.
, the heart of the Broadway theatre 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. Celebrities such as Tom Wopat
, Joel Grey
, Andrea McArdle
, and Edie Falco
participated. 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.
Broadway Barks has grown over the years until, 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.
"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. Celebrity presenters included: Elizabeth Ashley, Bill Berloni, Stephanie J. Block, Matt Cavanaugh, Michael Cerveris, Gavin Creel, Hope Davis, Christine Ebersole, Rupert Everett, Sutton Foster, John Glover, Haydn Gwynne, Marcia Gay Harden, Allison Janney, Gregory Jbara, Carol Kane, Andy Karl, Marc Kudisch, Angela Lansbury, Michael Mastro, Judy McLane, Audra McDonald, Constantine Maroulis, Michael O'Keefe, Karen Olivo, David Hyde Pierce, Alice Ripley, Bryce Ryness, Loretta Ables Sayre, Christopher Sieber, J. Robert Spencer, Will Swenson, John Tartaglia, and Michael Urie.
Broadway Barks 12 was held on July 10, 2010 in Shubert Alley. Included among the celebrity participants were George Akram, Fred Applegate, Brooks Ashmankas, Corbin Bleu, Veanne Cox, Erin Davie, Robin De Jesús, John Dossett, Gina Ferrell, Alexander Hanson, Sean Hayes, Jackie Hoffman, Karl Kenzler, Chad Kimball, Leigh Ann Larkin
, Karen Olivo, Loretta Ables Sayre, Brooke Adams, Kevin Chamberlin, Katie Finneran, Tony Goldwyn, Ruthie Henshall, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Beth Leavel, Judy McLane, Michael Mastro, Jan Maxwell, Tony Shalhoub and Richard Thomas. Among the animal adoption and welfare groups that participated were the ASPCA, BARC, Humane Society of New York and the North Shore Animal League. In honor of the event, the lights of the Empire State Building
were lit in pink, purple and yellow.
Broadway Barks 13 was held on July 9, 2011 in Shubert Alley.
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.
To promote the charity, Peters wrote a children's picture book
, Broadway Barks, with mixed-media collage
illustrations by Liz Murphy. 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.
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."
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. Additionally, Kramer has a plush toy dog named after him; proceeds from sales of the toy go to the Broadway Barks charity.
Peters has a mixed-breed dog named Kramer who was adopted from a shelter and a goddaughter named Isabelle, who were the inspirations for the characters in the book.
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. The CD also contains Peters' narration of the book. 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. 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.
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
event held in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to promote the adoption of shelter animals. The event has been held every July in Shubert Alley
Shubert Alley
Shubert Alley is a narrow long pedestrian alley at the heart of the Broadway theater district of New York City. It splits a block, as it runs parallel to and between Eighth Avenue and Broadway, linking West 44th Street to West 45th Street. It contains approximately of public space.The alley has...
, starting in 1999.
History
The event was founded in 1999 by Bernadette PetersBernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters is an American actress, singer and children's book author from Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Over the course of a career that has spanned five decades, she has starred in musical theatre, films and television, as well as performing in solo concerts and recordings...
with her friend Mary Tyler Moore
Mary Tyler Moore
Mary Tyler Moore is an American actress, primarily known for her roles in television sitcoms. Moore is best known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show , in which she starred as Mary Richards, a 30-something single woman who worked as a local news producer in Minneapolis, and for her earlier role as...
and others, who wanted to do "something for the animals" after a successful fund–raising campaign for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the theatre community’s response to the AIDS crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the theatre community, on Broadway, Off-Broadway and across the country, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States...
. Performers, many appearing in Broadway shows, and other celebrities present cats and dogs from New York City and vicinity animal shelters for adoption.
The Adopt-a-thon
The event has been held every July since 1999 in Shubert AlleyShubert Alley
Shubert Alley is a narrow long pedestrian alley at the heart of the Broadway theater district of New York City. It splits a block, as it runs parallel to and between Eighth Avenue and Broadway, linking West 44th Street to West 45th Street. It contains approximately of public space.The alley has...
, the heart of the Broadway theatre district
Theatre District, New York
The Theater District is an area in Midtown Manhattan where most Broadway theaters are located, as well as many other theaters, movie theaters, restaurants, hotels and other places of entertainment. It extends from 40th Street to 54th Street, and from west of Sixth Avenue to east of Eighth Avenue,...
. 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
Humane Society
A humane society may be a group that aims to stop human or animal suffering due to cruelty or other reasons, although in many countries, it is now used mostly for societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals...
and North Shore Animal League. Celebrities such as Tom Wopat
Tom Wopat
Tom Wopat is an American actor and singer. He first achieved fame as Luke Duke in the long-running 1979 television series The Dukes of Hazzard, along with John Schneider. He also played Jeff, one of Cybill Shepherd's ex-husbands in the TV series Cybill.-Life and career:Wopat was born in Lodi,...
, Joel Grey
Joel Grey
Joel Grey is an American stage and screen actor, singer, and dancer, best known for his role as the Master of Ceremonies in both the stage and film adaptation of the Kander & Ebb musical Cabaret. He has won the Academy Award, Tony Award and Golden Globe Award...
, Andrea McArdle
Andrea McArdle
Andrea McArdle is an American singer and actress best known for playing Annie in the Broadway musical Annie, as well as for her alto range and strong vocal belt.-Career:She was born in Philadelphia...
, and Edie Falco
Edie Falco
Edith "Edie" Falco is an American television, film and stage actress, known for her roles in Oz as Diane Wittlesey, as Carmela Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos, and as the titular character on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie...
participated. During the July 2007 event, more than 100 pets were adopted, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
issued a proclamation making July 14, 2007 "Broadway Barks Day" in New York City.
Broadway Barks has grown over the years until, on July 12, 2008, it benefitted some 25 animal adoption and welfare groups, with presenters such as Glenn Close
Glenn Close
Glenn Close is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and...
, Phyllis Newman
Phyllis Newman
Phyllis Newman is an American actress and singer. She was nominated twice for the Drama Desk Award and won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.-Early life:...
, Mario Lopez
Mario López
Mario Michael Lopez, Jr. is an American actor who has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is best known for his portrayal of the character A.C. Slater on Saved By The Bell, which he also portrayed as a regular on Saved by the Bell: The College Years...
, and Nathan Lane
Nathan Lane
Nathan Lane is an American actor of stage and screen. He is best known for his roles as Mendy in The Lisbon Traviata, Albert in The Birdcage, Max Bialystock in the musical The Producers, Ernie Smuntz in MouseHunt, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to...
introducing the adoptable animals.
"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. Celebrity presenters included: Elizabeth Ashley, Bill Berloni, Stephanie J. Block, Matt Cavanaugh, Michael Cerveris, Gavin Creel, Hope Davis, Christine Ebersole, Rupert Everett, Sutton Foster, John Glover, Haydn Gwynne, Marcia Gay Harden, Allison Janney, Gregory Jbara, Carol Kane, Andy Karl, Marc Kudisch, Angela Lansbury, Michael Mastro, Judy McLane, Audra McDonald, Constantine Maroulis, Michael O'Keefe, Karen Olivo, David Hyde Pierce, Alice Ripley, Bryce Ryness, Loretta Ables Sayre, Christopher Sieber, J. Robert Spencer, Will Swenson, John Tartaglia, and Michael Urie.
Broadway Barks 12 was held on July 10, 2010 in Shubert Alley. Included among the celebrity participants were George Akram, Fred Applegate, Brooks Ashmankas, Corbin Bleu, Veanne Cox, Erin Davie, Robin De Jesús, John Dossett, Gina Ferrell, Alexander Hanson, Sean Hayes, Jackie Hoffman, Karl Kenzler, Chad Kimball, Leigh Ann Larkin
Leigh Ann Larkin
Leigh Ann Larkin is an American actress and singer, best known for her performance as June Havoc in the 2008 Broadway revival of the musical, Gypsy.- Early life and education :...
, Karen Olivo, Loretta Ables Sayre, Brooke Adams, Kevin Chamberlin, Katie Finneran, Tony Goldwyn, Ruthie Henshall, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Beth Leavel, Judy McLane, Michael Mastro, Jan Maxwell, Tony Shalhoub and Richard Thomas. Among the animal adoption and welfare groups that participated were the ASPCA, BARC, Humane Society of New York and the North Shore Animal League. In honor of the event, the lights of the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
were lit in pink, purple and yellow.
Broadway Barks 13 was held on July 9, 2011 in Shubert Alley.
Special benefit concert, 2009
Peters held a one-time-only concert, "A Special Concert for Broadway Barks Because Broadway Cares", at the Minskoff Theatre
Minskoff Theatre
The Minskoff Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre, located at 1515 Broadway in midtown-Manhattan. It is now showing the musical The Lion King, based on the Disney animated film of the same name....
, 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.
Books and songs
Broadway BarksTo promote the charity, Peters wrote a children's picture book
Picture book
A picture book combines visual and verbal narratives in a book format, most often aimed at young children. The images in picture books use a range of media such as oil paints, acrylics, watercolor and pencil.Two of the earliest books with something like the format picture books still retain now...
, Broadway Barks, with mixed-media collage
Collage
A collage is a work of formal art, primarily in the visual arts, made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole....
illustrations by Liz Murphy. 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.
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
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. 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."
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. Additionally, Kramer has a plush toy dog named after him; proceeds from sales of the toy go to the Broadway Barks charity.
Peters has a mixed-breed dog named Kramer who was adopted from a shelter and a goddaughter named Isabelle, who were the inspirations for the characters in the book.
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
Pit bull
A Pit bull is any of several breeds of dog in the molosser breed group.Many jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls, including Ontario, Canada,, Miami, Florida, U.S...
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. The CD also contains Peters' narration of the book. Peters introduced the book with a reading (and also singing the song for Stella) at the L.A. Times Festival of Books, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California, on April 24, 2010. 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.