BROADWAY BACKWARDS Enlists Julie White to Host 2016 Edition; Chita Rivera, Danielle Brooks & More Join Lineup!

Broadway legend and two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera, Tony nominees Stephanie J. Block and Tony Sheldon, Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple, "Orange is the New Black"), and Laura Michelle Kelly (Finding Neverland) are among those joining the stunning cast of this year's Broadway Backwards, a one-night-only musical celebration, custom-made for the LGBT community, our friends and families. In addition, it was announced that Tony winner Julie White, a longtime supporter of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will host this year's 11th edition.

Also just added to the roster of performers are 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 (Sunset Boulevard), and Kenita R. Miller (Xanadu).

This year's Broadway Backwards (#broadwaybackwards) will take the stage at 8 PM Monday, March 21, at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street, NYC), home to the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Kinky Boots. 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.

These new names join a list of Broadway favorites announced earlier: Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Little Mermaid), Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd, TV's Blue Bloods), Andre De Shields (Gotta Dance), Telly Leung (Allegiance), Beth Malone (Fun Home), Lesli Margherita (Dames at Sea), Brad Oscar (Something Rotten!), Ken Page (Cats), Krysta Rodriguez (Spring Awakening, TV's Smash), Emily Skinner (Side Show), Ricky Ubeda (On the Town, TV's So You Think You Can Dance), Treat Williams (Follies), Tony Yazbeck (Finding Neverland) and Broadway trio Apollo Link. Performers subject to change.

Tickets for the event are available exclusively at broadwaycares.org or by calling 212.840.0770, ext. 229. VIP tickets include premium seats and a special post-show cocktail reception with the cast. A limited number of "Backstage & Beyond" tickets also are available, which include the opportunity to see the dress rehearsal, exclusive backstage access, a meet and greet with some of the stars of Broadway Backwards, premium seats for the show and more.

Broadway Backwards Creator Robert Bartley will again direct the show. Also returning are Mary-Mitchell Campbell as music supervisor and Tim Rosser as music director. Bartley, Al Blackstone, David Bushman, JoAnn Hunter and Adam Roberts will choreograph. Chris DeCamillis serves as production stage manager; Paul Miller is lightning designer, Matt Kraus is sound designer and Matthew J. Kilgore is costume designer.

Photos by Walter McBride