Theater News

Chita Rivera and More Join Cast of 2016 Broadway Backwards Concert

Check out the lineup for the annual production of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

| New York City |

March 1, 2016

Chita Rivera will perform in the 2016 Broadway Bears concert. — Chita Rivera will perform in the 2016 *Broadway Backwards* concert.
(© David Gordon)

More stars set to perform at the 2016 Broadway Backwards have been announced. This year's edition of the annual event will take place March 21 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

Newly announced for the show are Broadway icon Chita Rivera (The Visit), Tony nominees Stephanie J. Block (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) and Tony Sheldon (Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple), Laura Michelle Kelly (Finding Neverland), Nick Adams (Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Josh Grisetti (It Shoulda Been You), Eddie Korbich (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), Karen Mason (Hairspray), and Kenita R. Miller (Xanadu). Tony winner Julie White, a longtime supporter of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will host this year’s 11th edition.

Previously announced for the show were Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd, Broadway and the Bard), Andre De Shields (Gotta Dance), Beth Malone (Fun Home), Lesli Margherita (Dames at Sea), Ken Page (Cats), Telly Leung (Allegiance), Brad Oscar (Something Rotten!), Krysta Rodriguez (Spring Awakening), Emily Skinner (Side Show), Ricky Ubeda (On the Town), Treat Williams (Follies), Tony Yazbeck (Finding Neverland), and Broadway trio Apollo Link.

Broadway Backwards creator Robert Bartley will direct the show, with Mary-Mitchell Campbell as music supervisor and Tim Rosser as music director. Bartley, Al Blackstone, David Bushman, and Adam Roberts will choreograph. Chris DeCamillis serves as production stage manager, Paul Miller is lighting designer, and Matt Kilgore is costume designer.

Broadway Backwards is an annual celebration where gays and lesbians experience their stories as told through the great songs of musical theater. The evening is produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefits BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York. Last year’s sold-out 10th anniversary celebration featured a 66-person cast of Broadway and screen stars backed by a live 13-piece orchestra. It raised a record $466,717.

For tickets and more information, click here.