Tony recipient Julie Halston (Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, Tootsie) will emcee the 12th annual Broadway Belts for PFF!, a benefit to support the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. The hybrid event will occur simultaneously in New York City's Edison Ballroom and online April 29.
Carl Andress (The Confession of Lily Dare, The Divine Sister) will direct the benefit with musical direction by Christopher McGovern (Cagney).
The evening will feature performances from Tony winner Lillias White, Astaire winner Robert Creighton, Tony winner Beth Leavel, Outer Critics winner Ann Harada, Jim Caruso, and Ruby Locknar. Additional performers will be announced at a later date.
Tom Viola, the executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will receive the 2022 Ralph Howard Legacy Award. The award is named for anchorman Ralph Howard, the late husband of Halston, who passed away from pulmonary fibrosis.
"I was thrilled to be the recipient of the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award for my work for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, and I can't wait to bring the collective heart and soul of the Broadway community to all those living with pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung disease that affects over 250,000 Americans," said Halston.
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude to Julie, her production team and the stars who perform in Broadway Belts for PFF!," added William T. Schmidt, president and CEO of the PFF. "Funding from the event helps accelerate vital research and provides patient programs for those living with this debilitating disease."
The benefit is produced by D. Michael Dvorchak, Sue Frost (Memphis, Come From Away), Halston, and Ed Windels.
Visit BroadwayBeltsforpff.org.
