[PHOTOS] This year’s Broadway Bares brought heat AND broke records

These dancers had a license to strip!

[PHOTOS] This year’s Broadway Bares brought heat AND broke records
Michael Graceffa performs shirtless in red and white boxer briefs on stage at Broadway Bares.
Photo by Curtis Brown

For one night only, New York City had a license to strip — and it wasn’t afraid to use it.

Broadway Bares, the Big Apple’s cheekiest and most charitable event of the year, took place on Sunday, June 21, dazzling two sold-out audiences at the Hammerstein Ballroom with the unbelievable moves of more than 200 of the city’s finest dancers, larger-than-life production, and, yes, a lot of butt, too.

Of course, this year’s theme — License to Strip — brought the perfect amount of heat to the evening, as some of Broadway’s finest dusted off detective caps, trench coats, and their, um, gold members… only to skillfully take them off.

Thankfully, Mission MI69 — yes, that’s what they called it — had an all-star team of recruits to pull off their hottest heist yet, including Tony Award winners Shoshana Bean and Qween Jean, Titanique‘s Frankie Grande and Layton Williams, Death Becomes Her‘s Taurean Everett, and Sydney James Harcourt from CATS: The Jellicle Ball.

But really, it was a spicy showcase of all the talent New York City has to offer. In total, its cast featured members from 18 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.

And more than that, it was a powerful reminder of what happens when the community unites for a good, albeit also sexy, cause.

The sensual show is an annual fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and raked in a record-breaking $2,534,428. According to a press release, this money will “help hundreds of thousands of people … access meals, medication, healthcare, housing assistance, counseling and other essential services.”

Now that’s something to shake a dollar bill at!

Below, 15 more of the hottest pictures from this year’s Broadway Bares: License to Strip.

Frankie Grande performs shirtless in a black leather skirt on stage at Broadway Bares.
OMG, it’s Frankie Grande! | Photo by Curtis Brown
Alice Reis performs in a red dress on stage at Broadway Bares.
The Lady in Red (Alice Reis) | Photo by Curtis Brown
Michael Graceffa and a group of shirtless men perform jumping into the air at Broadway Bares.
How’s that for Sher-locked? Above, Michael Graceffa | Photo by Jonathan Tichle
J Harrison Ghee and Jimin Moon perform in front of red steps at Broadway Bares.
It’s TOP secret! | Photo by Michael Hull
A man in a black t-shirt reading "Talk Dirty to Me" speaks into a microphone on stage at Broadway Bares.
This year’s Broadway Bares raised a record-breaking $2.5 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS! | Photo by Jonathan Tichler
Aydin Eyikan dances in a golden thong on stage at Broadway Bares.
Aydin Eyikan literally soared. | Photo by Kate Mollison
Taurean Everett performs shirtless in a white lab coat at Broadway Bares.
Taurean Everett takes the stage. | Photo by Michael Hull
Sydney James Harcourt poses in black sunglasses and a black thong on stage at Broadway Bares.
Sydney James Harcourt bares all. | Photo by Michael Hull
A man performs in a trench coat next to two bare-bottomed dancers on stage at Broadway Bares.
Go, go, GO, gadget! | Photo by Michael Hull
A dancer dressed like Inspector Gadget performs in white briefs on stage at Broadway Bares.
Our new favorite detective story! | Photo by Michael Hull
Khasan Brailsford and Chance-Hoover perform in yellow and red speedos on stage at Broadway Bares.
Khasan Brailsford and Chance-Hoover | Photo by Michael Hull
Khasan Brailsford perform sin a yellow raincoat on stage at Broadway Bares.
Khasan Brailsford, pre-license to strip. | Photo by Curtis Brown
A trio of men perform in jockstraps on stage at Broadway Bares.
Gonna be, gonna be golden. | Photo by Michael Hull
J. Harrison Ghee, Shoshana Bean, Qween Jean perform on stage at Broadway Bares.
J. Harrison Ghee, Shoshana Bean, Qween Jean | Photo by Curtis Brown
A shirtless Austin Powers performer jumps into the air on stage at Broadway Bares.
Oh, behave! | Photo by Michael Hull

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