After overcoming a small roadblock put in place by a musicians union rep acting against the wishes of its members, the stream of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ benefit concert celebrating Disney on Broadway’s 25th anniversary has been rescheduled for Friday, April 17.
See good things come to those who wait.
The must-see online video event will raise money for Broadway Cares’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, which is helping members of the theater and performing arts community who have been impacted by the pandemic.
Bookmark this page and return at 7 pm Eastern to watch the video in this embed:
Ryan McCartan, whom Disney fans will recognize as Diggie Smalls from the Disney Channel sitcom Liv and Maddie and who played Hans in Disney’s Frozen on Broadway until the theaters shut down, will host the stream live from his family’s home.
In addition to the pre-recorded concert, McCartan will interview special Disney on Broadway stars, from their homes, throughout the evening. That’s how we do things now thanks to the unprecedented global health emergency.
The online show will feature performances by Jelani Alladin, Sierra Boggess, Christian Borle, Ashley Brown, Kerry Butler, Lauryn Ciardullo, Gavin Creel, Merle Dandridge, Lindiwe Dlamini, Bongi Duma, Susan Egan, Andrew Barth Feldman, Bradley Gibson, Whoopi Goldberg, Mandy Gonzalez, April Holloway, James Monroe Iglehart, Adam Jacobs, Ramona Keller, Nina Lafarga, Tamika Lawrence, Norm Lewis, Kara Lindsay, Tshidi Manye, Sibusiso Ngema, Ashley Park, Adam Pascal, Krysta Rodriguez, Michael James Scott, Sherie Rene Scott, Kissy Simmons, Josh Strickland, Katie Terza, Marisha Wallace, Rema Webb, Alton Fitzgerald White, and Syndee Winters.
The show also includes the much-anticipated, high-energy reunion of 18 Newsies from the show’s Broadway and national touring productions, and a moving performance from Broadway Inspirational Voices.
“There is no better news today than that which helps us ensure all in the entertainment industry who are facing the serious challenges of this COVID-19 pandemic can depend on the support of all their colleagues in the industry,” said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Viola added, “We all will surely one day gather in Times Square together to celebrate Broadway’s rebirth and renewal of hope.”
We can’t wait for that day. Until then consider supporting the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund. It provides financial help to those who would normally be onstage, backstage or behind the scenes but for the pandemic.
Right now your dollar will go twice as far thanks to Broadway producers who have offered a $1 million challenge and are matching every new donation to the fund dollar-for-dollar.
Donations can be made at broadwaycares.org/help2020.
The concert, Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway, was originally staged on November 4, 2019, and featured a cast of 79 performers and a 15-piece orchestra.
The original silver anniversary event at the New Amsterdam Theatre, home to Disney’s smash hit Aladdin, raised $570,426 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Let’s try to beat that amount this Friday.
Remember tune in Friday night at 7pm EST for the streaming of the concert with additional commentary from celebrity guest stars direct from their homes!