Twenty limited-edition Al Hirschfeld prints, signed by the stars featured in the images, are being auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Al Hirschfeld Foundation. The online auction launches on July 6 at broadwaycares.org/hirschfeld and runs through July 20.
Among those whose hand-signed, collectible prints are available in the online auction are Alan Alda, Julie Andrews, Cher, Michael Crawford, Clive Davis, Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli, Judi Dench, Richard Gere, Mark Hamill, Billy Joel, John Malkovich, Steve Martin, Ian McKellen, Reba McEntire, Chita Rivera, Linda Ronstadt, Martin Short, Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken and John Williams.
The signed and numbered lots featured in the Hirschfeld auction include McKellen in “Amadeus,” Andrews in “Putting It Together,” De Niro and Minnelli in the film “New York, New York,” Rivera in “The Rink” and Walken in Off-Broadway’s “Coriolanus.”
Hirschfeld’s work appeared in major publications over nine decades, as well as on numerous book and record covers and on 15 postage stamps. A two-time Tony Award recipient, Hirschfeld died in 2003 at the age of 99. Later that year, Broadway’s Martin Beck Theatre was renamed the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (which is currently home to “Moulin Rouge!”).
“We are immensely grateful for our treasured partnership with the Al Hirschfeld Foundation and the opportunity to feature these most unique, signed pieces of art,” said Broadway Cares executive director Tom Viola in a statement. “Our ongoing collaboration with the Foundation and the generosity of Hirschfeld fans old and new will help ensure much-needed health care and medication, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency assistance for those across the country affected by HIV/AIDS and other debilitating illnesses.”
“Working with Broadway Cares, who does so much for the Broadway community and beyond, goes right to the heart of the mission of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation,” said David Leopold, creative director of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation. “We feel fortunate that we have come upon a great way to contribute to Broadway Cares’ efforts and also continue our project to bring arts education to where it is needed the most. For years, Hirschfeld admirers have asked for these images be published as prints. Having the performers, who felt honored to be drawn by ‘The Line King,’ return the favor by signing these very limited editions is a tribute to how much Hirschfeld and Broadway Cares means to this community.”
The partnership between Broadway Cares and the Al Hirschfeld Foundation was conceived and brokered by the Erlick Group, a leading, New York-based entertainment sponsorship agency since 1992.
