Broadway’s official game night, Broadway Bets, brought together powerhouse industry insiders, celebrated stars and spirited fans on May 19, 2025, for an unforgettable evening of cards, camaraderie and record-breaking fundraising, produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The annual evening of Texas Hold ’em poker at the legendary Sardi’s restaurant raised a record $546,500.

The royal flush of players included leading luminaries from across the business of Broadway, with theater owners, producers, actors, theatrical executives, advertising and marketing leaders and fans joining in the action.

Among the stars of stage and screen attending were Emmy Award winner Hank Azaria, Kelli Barrett, John Behlmann, Tony Award nominee Laura Bell Bundy, Tony nominee Kerry Butler, 2025 Tony nominee Glenn Davis, Lea DeLaria, Nihar Duvvuri, 2025 Tony nominee Tom Francis, poker pro Andy Frankenberger, Drew Gehling, Richard Kind, Dan Lauria, Tony winner Kenny Leon, Tony Macht, Emmy winner Wendie Malick, Julian Manjerico, 2025 Tony nominee Julia Mattison, Nancy McKeon, Emmy winner Mike Myers, Noah Pacht, 2025 Tony nominee Sam Pinkleton, poker pro Erik Seidel, Tony nominee Jarrod Spector, Hannah Solow, Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, Pulitzer Prize, Academy Award and Tony winner Alfred Uhry, Victoria Vourkoutiotis, Steven Weber, Tony winner Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony winner and 2025 Tony nominee David Yazbek.

“Broadway Bets is a magical night – there’s a palpable energy that fills Sardi’s as folks from across the industry come together,” Broadway Cares Executive Director Danny Whitman said. “I’m grateful to the Broadway community, who showed up in the spirit of friendly competition and camaraderie. They went all-in to make a real difference in providing meals, medication, health care and hope with every three of a kind, straight or flush.”

Broadway Bets’ tournament directors are Mark Shacket, partner at Foresight Theatrical, Brett Sirota, co-founder and partner at The Road Company and RoadCo Entertainment and Alex Wolfe, general manager at Foresight Theatrical.

Broadway Bets’ founding co-chairs are Paul Libin, executive vice president emeritus of Jujamcyn Theaters and president emeritus of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Board of Trustees, and Robert E. Wankel, chairman and CEO of The Shubert Organization and president of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Board of Trustees.

The record took Broadway Bets’ total fundraising across its eight editions to $2.7 million.

The evening started with 37 Texas Hold ’em poker tables and 363 tournament players and onlookers filling three floors of the beloved Sardi’s restaurant. It culminated in 10 players donning their best poker faces at the championship table.

The final face-off featured Jeffrey Korn, a partner in the litigation department at law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher, and Audrey Federici, an actor and opera singer. Surrounded by a cheering crowd, Korn bested Federici with a pair of deuces.

As winner, Korn received a one-week stay at the luxurious Secret Villas in Key West, FL. Federici won an exclusive whiskey tasting experience with Edrington.

The final table also featured, in order of finish: Tom Callahan, senior vice president at Serino Coyne; Alex Donnelly, vice president and general manager at PRG; Marc Levine, theatrical producer including this season’s Glengarry Glen Ross and SMASH; Erich Bussing, assistant managing director at Greenrock Corporation; Andrew Lowry, director of ticketing at SpotCo; Paul D’Antonio, vice president of security at The Shubert Organization; Ingrid Weber, poker dealer and former Broadway costume designer; and Yang-Yang Chen, director of strategy and culture at 321 Theatrical Management.

The evening’s bar sponsors were the Tony-nominated productions of Gypsy and Just in Time. Broadway’s Tony Award-nominated hits Death Becomes Her; Good Night, and Good Luck; John Proctor is the Villain; Oh, Mary! and SMASH were represented as table sponsors.

City National Bank, the official bank of Broadway Bets, and United Airlines, the official airline of Broadway Bets, returned as the evening’s lead sponsors.

Going all in as “Full House” table sponsors were 321 Theatrical Management, AKA, The Araca Group, Foresight Theatrical, John Gore Organization (Broadway Across America, Broadway.com), The Nederlander Organization, No Guarantees, PRG, RCI Theatricals, The Road Company, Satisfi Labs, Serino Coyne, The Shubert Organization, SpotCo, Sweet Hospitality Group and Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

“Two Pair” sponsors were Disney Theatrical Group, LDK Productions, Littler Mendelson, The New York Times, RoadCo Entertainment, Situation, Sony Music Masterworks, TodayTix, Withum and WME.

Photos by Michael Hull and Allison Stock