Broadway stars switch roles
March 29, 2018
For twelve years, Broadway has signed up their biggest stars and put them on stage in opposite-sex roles. The event — which helps supports BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York City — is one that is often overlooked by everyday people.
Three years ago, Jeremy Jordan (“Newsies), Ben Platt (“Dear Evan Hansen”), Leslie Odom Jr.(“Hamilton”), Joshua Henry (“The Scottsboro Boys”), and Christopher Fitzgerald (“Wicked”) recreated one of the most iconic numbers in musical history by doing “Cell Block Tango” from “Chicago.” The performance is huge in the Broadway community and is fun to watch.
In the 2016 performance, they broke a record and collected $480,287 for the two organizations. One of the more popular performances that came out of that year was when Aaron Tveit (“Catch Me If You Can”) and Gavin Creel (“Thoroughly Modern Millie”) did “Take Me or Leave Me” from “Rent.”
Last year, one the popular numbers was by Andrew Keenan-Bolger who performed “The History of Wrong Guys.” Bolger performed the hilarious “Kinky Boots” number with as much as skill as Annaleigh Ashford did when the show first opened.
Some of last year’s stars included Cynthia Erivo performing “Make Them Hear You,” Josh Groban doing “Someone Else’s Story,” Andrew Rannells performing “Where He Ain’t” and many others that are just as amazing. And they made another record-shattering amount of money.
This year’s guests include Noah Galvin (“Dear Evan Hansen”), Betsy Wolfe (“Waitress”), Taylor Trensch (“Dear Evan Hansen”), Wayne Brady (“Kinky Boots”), Ethan Slater (“Spongebob Squarepants”) and so many more.
With last year’s numbers and a sold-out house, there is certainty that the Al Hirschfeld Theater will be filled with Broadway lovers and contributors ready to have the night of their lives. And with a guest list like no other, it only makes sense that the seats will be sold out and the performances will wow the audience.
While most aren’t able to watch the event live, the performances are recorded and quickly put up on their youtube channel, Broadway Cares/Equity Fight AIDS.
The 13th annual “Broadway Backwards” is scheduled for 8 p.m. Apr.2 at the Al Hirschfeld Theater.
