Best in Show, Bernadette Peters Hosts the Fetch Pet Gala at the Carlyle

Bernadette Peters hosted the second annual Fetch Pet Gala at Café Carlyle on Monday, October 19, where Darren Criss and Ariana DeBose sang a duet of "Shallow" and Cyndi Lauper played a surprise acoustic set at the afterparty.

The Carlyle sits on East 76th Street between Madison and Park Avenues. On gala night, guests were asked to arrive at six through the 76th Street entrance, and the cabaret room inside heard Sondheim, Bernstein and Lady Gaga over dinner.

The official Fetch Pet Gala page set the date and the room. BroadwayWorld's photo report, published the next day, covered the night itself.

What Is the Fetch Pet Gala?

It is a benefit dinner and concert run by Fetch Pet Insurance for animal and Broadway charities. Peters, who co-founded Broadway Barks, is its host.

This year's gala listed four beneficiaries. They are Broadway Barks, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Wags & Walks and North Shore Animal League America.

Who Sang, and What?

Peters, Criss and DeBose all performed at dinner, according to BroadwayWorld. Peters sang "No One Is Alone" from Into the Woods, "Send in the Clowns" from A Little Night Music and "Fever."

Criss sang "Almost Like Being in Love" from Brigadoon and "Mack the Knife." DeBose sang "This Wish" from the Disney film Wish, "Meadowlark" from The Baker's Wife and "Somewhere" from West Side Story.

Then the two of them sang "Shallow" from A Star Is Born together. BroadwayWorld describes the duet as spontaneous.

The cabaret room inside heard Sondheim, Bernstein and Lady Gaga over dinner.

What Did Cyndi Lauper Play?

Lauper was not on the program. She turned up at the afterparty and played acoustic versions of "Fearless," "Time After Time" and "True Colors," BroadwayWorld reports. The report does not name the afterparty's room.

Last year the surprise at the afterparty was John Legend at the piano, according to Broadway Cares.

How Much Did It Raise?

Fetch's page says the 2026 goal was $750,000 and reports more than $750,000 raised in one night.

Paul Guyardo, president and chief executive of Fetch Pet Insurance, gave the longer view. "The incredible star power of the Fetch Pet Gala is how we've been able to raise over $1.2 million in just two years," he said, as BroadwayWorld reports.

The figures fit together once the first year is added. Broadway Cares says the inaugural gala, on October 21, 2025, raised more than $530,000. Fetch's own page puts that first year at more than $600,000. Either way, the two nights together clear $1.2 million.

Danny Whitman, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, called the night's success "a testament to the immense power of compassion and community," in BroadwayWorld's account. He said the money will pay for medical care, emergency assistance and support.

Who Else Was There?

BroadwayWorld's photographs name several guests. They include the designer Christian Cowan, Kenita R. Miller, L Morgan Lee, Carrie St. Louis, Scott T. Stevens, Sarah Cardillo and Caleb Predeep Mathura.

Why Does a Pet Gala Belong on This Beat?

Because in New York a charity dinner can turn into the best cabaret bill of the week. This one put three Broadway voices in a small cabaret room, and then added a pop star at the afterparty.

It also shows how the theater world raises money. Broadway Cares has been doing it all fall, from a one-night Rent reunion to runners in the marathon.

What to Know Before You Go

The gala is over and was sold as a private benefit. Fetch's page lists the four beneficiaries for anyone who wants to give directly. Café Carlyle, inside The Carlyle at Madison Avenue and East 76th Street, keeps its own cabaret calendar.

Four charities split the money. The dogs, as usual, got the credit.