Lorna Courtney, Crystal Lucas-Perry, NaTasha Yvette Williams, More Set for Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth Concert

The lineup has been announced for the third annual Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth concert, presented by The Broadway League's Black to Broadway Initiative. The free event in Times Square, set for June 18 from 11 AM-12:30 PM (rain or shine), will be hosted by Michael James Scott (Aladdin, Something Rotten!).

The outdoor event, honoring the holiday with song, dance, and spoken word, will feature live music provided by The Music Performance Trust Fund and Film Funds as well as more than 25 performers from the following Broadway shows: A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical; & Juliet; Camelot; Chicago; Harry Potter and the Cursed Child; MJ The Musical; New York, New York; Parade; Shucked; SIX; Some Like It Hot; and Sweeney Todd; as well as the upcoming Broadway revival of The Wiz. Kids from current and recent Broadway productions will also take part in a special musical number.

Broadway artists scheduled to perform include 2023 Tony nominees Lorna Courtney, Crystal Lucas-Perry, and NaTasha Yvette Williams plus Miki Abraham, Melody Betts, Donovan Louis Bazemore, Layla Capers, Courtnee Carter, Milanis Clark, Holli’ Conway-Fields, Kyrie Courter, Nadia Daniel, Mariama Diop, Scarlett London Diviney, Austin Elle Fisher, Josiah Gaffney, Bane Griffith, Aaron James Mckenzie, Ethan Joseph, Arian Keddell, Tesia Kwarteng, Devin Miles Lugo, Antoine L. Smith, Kimberly Marable, Isabel Medina, Rashad McPherson, Celina Nightengale, Aaron Nicholas Patterson, Veronica Otim, William Rhem, Walter Russell III, Deandre Sevon, Vanessa Sears, Jurnee Elizabeth Swan, James T. Lane, Jayden Theophile, Farrah Ozuna Wilson, Rachel Webb, Hailee Kaleem Wright, and Richard Riaz Yoder.

The creative and production team includes director and writer Steve H. Broadnax III, music director Rashad McPherson, executive producers Brian Anthony Moreland and Aaliytha Stevens, stage manager Jhanaë Bonnick, and general manager Devon Miller of Foresight Theatrical.

As previously reported, the 2023 Juneteenth Legacy Award will be presented to Tony-winning director Kenny Leon, who is being recognized for his impact on Broadway and his commitment to working on projects that involve educational, philanthropic, and advocacy efforts.

“Congratulations to producer and Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon as the recipient of the 2023 Juneteenth Legacy Award. We acknowledge his enormous contributions to Broadway which have resulted in staging powerful works that delve into Black storylines and star Black artists. Through his many endeavors, he has created opportunities for diverse voices to be heard,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League, in an earlier statement. “We invite audiences to join us for Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth and experience this uplifting event in the heart of the theatre district.”

“Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth shines a light on the extraordinary contributions of Black creatives in the theatre community with a day of free performances and presentations showcasing the best of NYC talent,” added Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Anne del Castillo. “Congratulations to Kenny Leon on the Juneteenth Legacy Award, and to The Broadway League for this wonderful Juneteenth celebration that is sure to inspire future generations of performers and audiences alike.”

The goal of Black to Broadway, created by The Broadway League in 2019, is to inspire deeper engagement with awareness of, and access to Broadway for all Black people. Visit BroadwayLeague.com and Diversity.Broadway.