An initial list of artists has been announced for this year's Broadway Backwards, the annual benefit concert celebrating
the LGBTQ+ community via songs from the musical theatre.
As previously reported, the fundraiser will play Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre, current home of Wicked, March 10 at 8 PM. Produced by Broadway Cares, the evening will benefit the theatrical nonprofit and New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center). Tony nominee Jenn Colella will again host.
Performers are currently set to include Tituss Burgess (upcoming Oh, Mary!), Tony winner Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd), Bradley Dean (Redwood), Dionne Figgins (A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical), Jordan Fisher (Hamilton), Ana Gasteyer (Once Upon a Mattress), Tony nominee Joshua Henry (Into the Woods), Tony winner Gregory Jbara (Billy Elliott: The Musical), Adam Lambert (Cabaret), Tiffany Mann (City Center’s Urinetown), Tony winner Kelli O'Hara (Days of Wine and Roses), Joy Woods (Gypsy), Lydia Gaston (The King and I), Preston Perez (A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond Musical), Kei Tsuruharatani (Jagged Little Pill), Remi Tuckman (DRAG: The Musical), and the Tony-honored Broadway Inspirational Voices, with more artists to be announced.
Creator Robert Bartley will return to direct and choreograph the show, joined by music supervisors Ted Arthur and Mary-Mitchell Campbell, music directors Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders, choreographer Amanda LaMotte, and choreographer and associate director Adam Roberts. ARC’s Mark Brandon and Jarrett Reiche are the casting consultants.
The evening will also feature sound design by Josh Maszle, prop design by Jenna Snyder and Alexander Wylie, and costume design by Kitty Cassetti, Antonio Consuegra, Jess Gersz, Alex Rocky, and Tyler Carlton Williams.
What began as a small, grassroots concert performed at The Center in 2006 has grown into a highly anticipated event. In its 18 editions, Broadway Backwards has raised more than $7.9 million for Broadway Cares and The Center. Last year’s edition raised a record-breaking $917,651. The 101-person cast featured Shoshana Bean, Julie Benko, Tituss Burgess, Norbert Leo Butz, Jordan Fisher, Alex Newell, and more, backed by a live orchestra.
Broadway Cares is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has awarded more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
Tickets are now available at BroadwayCares.org.
