Rockville Centre's star power

Posted Wednesday, December 21, 2011 7:00 pm

Heather Burns, center, with a big smile, and fellow “Billy Elliot” cast members and former cast members received an award from Hugh Jackman after a performance of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” They were joined onstage by Daniel Radcliffe and Bernadette Peters.

Courtesy Heidi Burns

Heather Burns, a member of the original Tony Award-winning Broadway cast of “Billy Elliot the Musical,” performed with fellow Billy Elliot alumni and cast members in the 23rd annual Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS “Gypsy of the Year” production on Dec 5 and 6 at the New Amsterdam Theatre in Manhattan.

The Billy Elliot group sang Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” and was awarded “Best Stage Presentation.” Their award, along with the awards given to shows that raised the most money, were presented by Hugh Jackman, Daniel Radcliffe and Bernadette Peters.

“Gypsy of the Year” is a competitive variety show put on by the most talented singers and dancers in the ensembles of Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring company shows, known as “gypsies.” The show marks the culmination of six weeks of intensive fundraising for Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS. This year a record-breaking $4,895,253 was raised and will go toward providing essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Heather is a resident of Rockville Centre and a junior in Oceanside High School.

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