Broadway Backwards, the annual benefit concert celebrating the LGBTQ+ community via songs from the musical theatre, returns to Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre, current home of Disney's Aladdin, March 13 at 8 PM.
Produced by Broadway Cares, the evening benefits the theatrical nonprofit and New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. Jenn Colella hosts the in-person event for the third time.
The fundraiser features the talents of F. Murray Abraham, George Abud, Philippe Arroyo, Corbin Bleu, Wayne Brady, Len Cariou, Bradley Dean, Dormeshia, Eden Espinosa, Robbie Fairchild, Barrett Foa, Adrianna Hicks, Robyn Hurder, Beth Leavel, Ellyn Marie Marsh, Bonnie Milligan, Jeigh Madjus, Chris McCarrell, Samantha Pauly, Anthony Rapp, Turner Riley, Lea Salonga, Kyle Scatliffe, A.J. Shively, Alexandra Silber, Ali Stroker, Paulo Szot, and Paul C. Vogt.
Broadway Backwards creator Robert Bartley once again directs. Bartley, Lauren Gemelli, Hurder, Mimi Quillin, Adam Roberts, Luis Salgado, and Tony Yazbeck are the show’s choreographers with musical supervision by Ted Arthur and Mary-Mitchell Campbell. Jeff Brancato serves as production stage manager.
The evening also has lighting design by Nyle Farmer, sound design by Maria Renee Foucher, prop design by Jenna Snyder and Alexander Wylie, and costume design by Tyler Carlton Williams, Jess Gersz, and Nicole Zausmer. Binder Casting’s Mark Brandon and Chad Eric Murnane return as casting consultants.
The event began as a grassroots concert performed at The Center in 2006. Last year, Backwards returned to the New Amsterdam after a two-year pause due to the pandemic. The standing-room-only return raised a record $758,582, besting the previous record set by 2021’s virtual edition.
Tickets, which start at $100 with sponsorship packages and VIP tickets also available, can be purchased by visiting BroadwayCares.org.
Jenn Colella
Danny Burstein
Joaquina Kalukango and Broadway Inspirational Voices at Broadway Backwards 2022
Bernadette Peters
Len Cariou
Sidney DuPont
Mi Mi Scardulla
Alexandra Billings
John Riddle and Claybourne Elder
Lena Hall
BD Wong
Lillias White and Ernie Pruneda
Lauren Patten and Jenn Colella
Michael R. Jackson
Z. Infante and J. Harrison Ghee
Andrew Keenan Bolger, Bill Nolte, and Dominic Dorset
George Salazar
Brandon Uranowitz
Mary Testa and Eve Plumb
Ken Page
