Julie Benko, Robin de Jesús, Joshua Henry, More Join Broadway Backwards Concert Lineup

More Broadway favorites have been announced for this year's Broadway Backwards, the annual benefit concert celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community via songs from the musical theatre.

As previously reported, the fundraiser will return to Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre, current home of Disney's Aladdin, March 11 at 8 PM. Produced by Broadway Cares, the evening will benefit the theatrical nonprofit and New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center). Tony nominee Jenn Colella will again host.

Newly announced for the one-night-only event are Julie Benko (Harmony), Todd Buonopane (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella), Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Tony winner Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd, Blue Bloods), Bradley Dean (Here We Are), Darius de Haas (Shuffle Along…), Robin de Jesús (The Boys in the Band), Joshua Henry (Into the Woods), and Tony Yazbeck (Flying Over Sunset), as well as the Grammy-nominated Broadway Inspirational Voices plus Joe Chisholm, Daniel Marmion, Nicholas Park, Morgana Shaw, and Jamison Stern.

These artists join the earlier announced Shoshana Bean (Hell’s Kitchen), Jonathan Bennett (Spamalot), Tituss Burgess (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), Jordan Fisher (Hadestown), Arielle Jacobs (Here Lies Love), Casey Likes (Back to the Future: The Musical), John McGinty (King Lear), Shoba Narayan (Aladdin), Tony winner Alex Newell (Shucked), Courtney Reed (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), Jelani Remy (Back to the Future: The Musical), Tony winner Lillias White (Hadestown), Constance Wu (Little Shop of Horrors), and Chip Zien (Harmony).

Creator Robert Bartley will return to direct and choreograph the show, joined by music supervisors Ted Arthur and Mary-Mitchell Campbell, music director Michael Gacetta, associate music directors Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders, and choreographers and associate directors Skye Mattox and Adam Roberts. ARC’s Mark Brandon and Jarrett Reiche are casting consultants, Christopher Tester is the director of American Sign Language, and E. Sara Barnes is the production stage manager.

The evening will also feature lighting design by Carolyn Wong, sound design by Maria Renee Foucher, and prop design by Jenna Snyder and Alexander Wylie. Costume designers are Kitty Cassetti, Jess Gersz, Vanessa Leuck, Natalie Loveland, Tyler Carlton Williams, and Nicole Zausmer.

What began as a small, grassroots concert performed at The Center in 2006 has grown into a highly anticipated event. In its 17 editions, Broadway Backwards has raised more than $7 million for Broadway Cares and The Center. Last year’s edition raised a record $765,069. The 67-person cast featured Corbin Bleu, Wayne Brady, Robbie Fairchild, Robyn Hurder, Bonnie Milligan, Anthony Rapp, Lea Salonga, and more backed by a 13-piece orchestra.

VIP tickets include premium seats and a special post-show reception with the cast. A limited number of “Backstage & Beyond” ticket packages also are available.

Broadway Cares is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theater community, since 1988 Broadway Cares has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Tickets are now available at BroadwayCares.org.