Anthony Rapp hosts Broadway Beauty Pageant

The inaugural edition of “Mr. Broadway,” a very special pageant in which some of Broadway's hottest, most talented men compete for the titular crown, was a huge hit last year and raised lots of money for the Ali Forney Center, which provides vital services for homeless LGBT youth.

This year, the pageant's name had to be officially changed to “The Broadway Beauty Pageant” because — believe it or not — the title “Mr. Broadway” has been copyrighted by a Broadway producer, theater owner, and sometime playwright named Stewart Lane, who threatened legal action.

But whatever it's called, the event is a blast — as you can see from these photos of the second annual pageant, held on Monday, April 28 at New World Stages.

Here's a moment from the opening number, choreographed by Christopher Gattelli.

The pageant was hosted by Rent star Anthony Rapp, who was clearly in his element.

Broadway maven Seth Rudetsky (far left) and [title of show]'s Hunter Bell and Susan Blackwell served as the event's nominal judges, but the choice of the winner was ultimately in the hands of the audience.

Daniel Robinson, competing as “Mr. Hairspray,” did some fancy twirling in the talent competition.