DEFYING INEQUALITY Raises $400,000 for Equal Rights Organizations

(New York, NY) On Monday evening, February 23 at 8:00pm, the Broadway community (and beyond) came together for one of the most important events of the year - Defying Inequality: The Broadway Concert -- A Celebrity Benefit for Equal Rights, a one-night only concert event at the Gershwin Theatre (222 W. 51st Street).

Featured in the star-studded evening were performers from stage & screen - all to benefit equal right organizations including: Family Equality Council, Empire State Pride Agenda, Equality California, Garden State Equality, and The Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force. A GRAND TOTAL OF $400,000 WAS RAISED. 

The special evening, presented by the Broadway cast of Wicked, included a special appearance by Academy Award-winner Jane Fonda (33 Variations), as well as Keith Olbermann (Countdown with Keith Olbermann), and the Reverend Al Sharpton (Pres. Of Nat'l Action Network & Leader for Equal Rights), a special video message from Sir Elton John and David Furnish, the Broadway debut of Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner Marc Shaiman's Prop 8 - The Musical, (as produced by Funnyordie.com: Shaiman will reprise his original role in the performance) and a special performance by Stephen Schwartz (Oscar winner and Tony nominated composer of Broadway's smash hit Wicked). Plus, in alphabetical order: Douglas Carter Beane (Tony Award nominee), Shoshana Bean (Wicked), PJ Benjamin (Wicked), Mike Birbiglia (Sleepwalk With Me), Stephanie J. Block (Wicked), Tamara Braun (All My Children),Daniel Breaker (Tony Award nominee), Kerry Butler (Tony Award nominee), Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman), Gavin Creel (Tony Award nominee), Harvey Fierstein (Tony Award winner), John Gallagher, Jr. (Tony Award winner), Malcolm Gets (The Story of My Life, Caroline In The City), Judy Gold - event co-host - (Emmy Award winner), Jonathan Groff (Tony Award nominee), Jayne Houdyshell (Wicked, The Receptionist), CrystAl Hunt (One Life To Live), Mark Indelicato (Ugly Betty), Allison Janney (9 to 5, The West Wing), Capathia Jenkins (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Caroline, or Change), Carson Kressley - event co-host - (Emmy Award winner), Cyndi Lauper (Grammy Award winner) ,Nathan Lane (Tony Award winner), Laughing Pizza (Parents Choice Awards, PBS daily), Adriane Lenox (Tony Award winner), Cameron Mathison (All My Children, Dancing With the Stars), Rue McClanahan (Golden Girls, Sordid Lives), Phyllis Newman (Tony Award winner), NYC Gay Men's Chorus, Kelli O'Hara (South Pacific), Nicole Parker (MAD TV, Wicked), David Hyde Pierce (Tony Award winner), Billy Porter (Ghetto Superstar), Christine Quinn (New York City Council Speaker)Seth Rudetsky (Sirius Radio, Seth's Broadway Chatterbox), Sherri Saum (Rescue Me, In Treatment), Carole Shelley (Tony Award winner), Christopher Sieber (Shrek, Spamalot), Doug Spearman (Noah's Ark), Sally Struthers (Broadway and Television Star), Tamara Tunie (Law & Order: SVU), Michael Urie (Ugly Betty), Scott Wittman (Tony Award winner), The Broadway Boys, Don't Quit Your Night Job, members of the closing cast of Gypsy, original cast members from Spring Awakening, and current cast members from Billy Elliot, Hair, Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins, Saturday Night Live, Sesame Street, South Pacific, The Color Purple , Mama Mia, National Tour, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Wicked, and more.

The concert was directed by Schele Williams and Anthony Galde, with musical direction by James Sampliner.

100% of the profits from this spectacular event were donated directly to Family Equality Council, Empire State Pride Agenda, Equality California, Garden State Equality, and The Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, five charitable organizations working to promote equality and protect civil rights for the gay and lesbian community.

Defying Inequality: The Broadway Concert, A Celebrity Benefit for Equal Rights, is produced by 4Good Productions, the same presenters of the 2005 event Broadway's Celebrity Benefit for Hurricane Relief at the Gershwin Theatre, in association with b. swibel presents. Featuring over 200 Broadway performers, the 2005 event raised more than $200,000 in just one night.

Special thanks to the producers of Wicked and the Nederlander Organization for generously donating the Gershwin Theatre for the evening.

For information visit the event website: www.defyinginequality.com.