BROADWAY BACKWARDS star-studded line-up announced for virtual event on 30 March
Photo credit: Broadway Cares
An array of Broadway, TV and film stars have joined the line-up for the virtual edition of Broadway Backwards, streaming at 8pm EST on 30 March before being made available on demand.
This year’s event includes a star-studded finale with new performances by Amy Adams, James Monroe Iglehart, Cheyenne Jackson, L Morgan Lee, Raymond J. Lee, Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Ruthie Ann Miles, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jessie Mueller, Kelli O’Hara, Karen Olivo, Bernadette Peters, Sis and Elizabeth Stanley. The finale also includes special appearances by Debbie Allen, Matt Bomer, Brenda Braxton, Len Cariou, Glenn Close, Loretta Devine, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Cherry Jones, Aasif Mandvi, Michael McElroy, Javier Muñoz, Jim Parsons, Eve Plumb, Roslyn Ruff and Tony Yazbeck.
It will also include special guests Chasten Buttigieg, Anderson Cooper, Ariana DeBose, Don Lemon, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Robin Roberts, Tony Shalhoub and Ben Vereen.
The show explores how the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic has specifically affected the LGBTQ community. It will feature Jay Armstrong Johnson as an isolated New Yorker who dreams a fantastical journey guided by a late-night television host, portrayed by Jenn Colella. New performances will be merged with full numbers from previous editions to create a Broadway Backwards that feels distinctly of the moment. The stream also includes a special opening number featuring the previously announced Stephanie J. Block, Deborah Cox and Lea Salonga.
Creator Robert Bartley returns as writer and director for this virtual version of the show. He is joined by Mary-Mitchell Campbell as music supervisor, Ted Arthur as music director, Nick Connors as orchestrator, Matt Kraus as sound designer and Samantha Rodriguez as costume designer.
Broadway Backwards (#broadwaybackwards) is produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefits Broadway Cares and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City.
The free online event can be viewed here and on the Broadway Cares YouTube channel. It will be available on demand through Saturday 3 April. Whilst the stream is free, donations are encouraged.
