Key Takeaways
- Broadway Bets, the annual charity poker night supporting Broadway Cares, returns May 18 at a larger venue—the Edison Ballroom—moving from its longtime home at Sardi’s Restaurant.
- The event features a Texas Hold ’em tournament open to all skill levels, with guest passes allowing non‑players to watch the action and enjoy other casino‑style games.
- A star‑studded lineup of Broadway talent, industry leaders, and professional poker players—including Tony‑nominees Christopher Abbott, Nicholas Christopher, Hannah Cruz, Christiani Pitts, Mark Strong, Sam Tutty, and actors such as Hank Azaria, Don Cheadle, Patrick Wilson, and Edred Utomi—will compete for the title of Broadway Bets champion.
- Prizes for the final‑table participants include a cross‑country private‑jet flight with Aero, a week at the Secret Villas in Key West, a catered dinner for 12 by Sweet Hospitality Group, and a whiskey tasting at The Macallan.
- Tables are sponsored by numerous Broadway productions (e.g., Beaches, Death Becomes Her, Oedipus, Two Strangers), while “Full House” table sponsors and “Two‑Pair” half‑table sponsors span theatrical management firms, law firms, financial institutions, and corporate partners.
- The event is directed by Mark Shacket (Foresight Theatrical), Brett Sirota (The Road Company), and Alex Wolfe (Foresight Theatrical); founding co‑chairs are Robert E. Wankel (Shubert Organization) and the late Paul Libin (Jujamcyn Theaters).
- Thomas S. Perakos, Tony‑ and Olivier‑winning producer and philanthropist, is the inaugural presenting sponsor, pledging over $1 million across the next five years to Broadway Cares.
- Last year’s Broadway Bets raised a record $546,500; the eight‑year total now exceeds $2.7 million for Broadway Cares, which has granted more than $300 million since 1988 for HIV/AIDS services and other critical illnesses.
- Doors open at 6:30 PM with cocktails and a buffet; the tournament begins at 7:30 PM. Limited tournament seats are $500 and can be purchased via BroadwayCares.org.
Broadway Bets, Broadway’s official game night produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares, is set to return on May 18 in a new, larger setting—the Edison Ballroom. The event, which has historically been held at Sardi’s Restaurant, will accommodate a growing audience of theatre fans, industry professionals, and celebrities who gather for a night of poker, philanthropy, and celebration of the Broadway community.
The centerpiece of the evening is a Texas Hold ’em tournament designed for players of all experience levels. While seasoned poker pros and Broadway newcomers vie for the championship title, guest passes are available for those who prefer to watch the action, enjoy other casino‑style games, and soak up the festive atmosphere. The tournament’s structure encourages both competition and camaraderie, reinforcing the event’s dual purpose of entertainment and fundraising.
An impressive roster of special guests has been confirmed to “shuffle up and deal.” Among them are 2026 Tony nominees Christopher Abbott (Death of a Salesman), Nicholas Christopher (Chess), Hannah Cruz (Chess), Christiani Pitts (Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)), Mark Strong (Oedipus), and Sam Tutty (Two Strangers). Additional Broadway talent includes Emmy‑winner Hank Azaria (The Simpsons), Tony‑ and Golden‑Globe‑winning actor Don Cheadle (Proof), Patrick Wilson (The Lost Boys producer), and Edred Utomi (Hamilton). The field is bolstered by renowned poker professionals Andy Frankenberger and Erik Seidel, as well as a host of actors and performers from current and upcoming productions such as Beaches, Dog Day Afternoon, Every Brilliant Thing, Ragtime, Schmigadoon!, and Two Strangers.
The stakes are high: the ten players who reach the final table will compete for a suite of luxurious prizes. Winners can look forward to a cross‑country private‑jet flight courtesy of Aero, a week‑long stay at the Secret Villas in Key West, a catered dinner party for twelve hosted by Sweet Hospitality Group, and an exclusive whiskey tasting at The Macallan. These rewards not only add excitement to the competition but also underscore the event’s commitment to delivering memorable experiences for its participants.
Behind the scenes, a broad coalition of sponsors supports the night’s operations. “Full House” table sponsors—companies that underwrite full poker tables—include 321 Theatrical Management, AKA, The Araca Group, ATG Entertainment, Foresight Theatrical, John Gore Organization (Broadway Across America, Broadway.com), Kikis Family Foundation, LDK Productions, McDermott Will & Schulte, The Nederlander Organization, Neuberger Berman, PRG, Proskauer Rose LLP, RCI Theatricals, The Road Company, RoadCo Entertainment, Sony Masterworks, Satisfi Labs and Broadw.ai, Segal Consulting, Serino Coyne, The Shubert Organization, SINE Digital, SpotCo, Sweet Hospitality Group, TodayTix, Universal Theatrical Group, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, and Withum. “Two‑Pair” half‑table sponsors feature organizations such as Actors’ Equity Association, Campus, Captivate, Disney Theatrical Group, Independent Presenters Network, Littler Mendelson, The Macallan, Jennifer Melin Miller & David Miller, The New York Times, Secret Villas of Key West and the Heslin Family Trust, Schultheis & Panettieri LLP, Situation Group, and WME.
The tournament is overseen by directors Mark Shacket (partner at Foresight Theatrical), Brett Sirota (co‑founder and partner at The Road Company), and Alex Wolfe (general manager at Foresight Theatrical). Founding co‑chairs Robert E. Wankel—chairman and CEO of The Shubert Organization and president of Broadway Cares’ Board of Trustees—and the late Paul Libin—executive vice president emeritus of Jujamcyn Theaters and president emeritus of Broadway Cares’ Board of Trustees—have guided the event’s philanthropic mission since its inception.
A defining development for this year’s Broadway Bets is the appointment of Tony‑ and Olivier‑winning producer and philanthropist Thomas S. Perakos as the inaugural presenting sponsor. Perakos, through The Perakos Family Cares Foundation, has committed more than $1 million over the next five years to Broadway Cares, describing the arts as “the foundation of our culture, of humankind, and especially of our beloved Broadway community.” His pledge underscores a growing trend of high‑impact, long‑term support from industry leaders aiming to sustain the charitable work that Broadway Cares performs.
Since its launch, Broadway Bets has become a vital fundraising engine for Broadway Cares. Last year’s edition generated a record $546,500, bringing the eight‑year total to over $2.7 million. Broadway Cares, one of the nation’s leading industry‑based nonprofits focused on AIDS fundraising and grant‑making, has directed more than $300 million since 1988 toward essential services for people living with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
Practical details for attendees: doors open at 6:30 PM with cocktails and a buffet; the tournament kicks off at 7:30 PM. A limited number of tournament seats are available at $500 each and can be reserved through BroadwayCares.org. Guest passes, offering access to the festivities without a seat at the poker table, are also available for those who wish to enjoy the evening’s entertainment, networking opportunities, and the knowledge that their participation directly supports lifesaving services for the Broadway community and beyond.