Erich Bergen, Jennifer Simard, Jayne Houdyshell & More Will Perform at NYCLU's Annual BROADWAY STANDS UP FOR FREEDOM Benefit Concert

The New York Civil Liberties Union, the New York State affiliate of the ACLU, announced today a star-studded lineup of performers for its annual benefit concert. "Broadway Stands Up for Freedom" will boast performances by some of Broadway's finest on Monday, July 18, at the NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place). Tickets are now on sale at http://nyuskirball.org/calendar/nyclu2016.

NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman created the annual event with a group of aspiring actors to highlight social justice and civil rights issues through the lens of some of Broadway's most prolific artists. "We're thrilled that so many talented performers and artists are generously supporting our work by celebrating the vital link between the arts and civil liberties," said Lieberman. "We're planning an evening of great music and laughter for a worthy cause, especially at a time when the country is experiencing attacks on freedom of sexual orientation, gender identity and religion in the wake of the horrific attack in Orlando, Florida."

Some of musical theater's finest will perform, including Erich Bergen, Andréa Burns, Rhiannon Giddens, Jayne Houdyshell, Jennifer Simard, Emily Skeggs, Christina Bianco, Todd Buonopane, Devin Trey Campbell, Crystal Monee Hall, Celisse Henderson, Kristolyn Lloyd, Ray Mercer, Arian Moayed, Zachary Prince, Liana Stampur and Clinton Curtis, Alexandria Suarez, Shaina Taub, and the Brooklyn Tech Lady Dragons Step Team. Susan Blackwell returns as host with directors Peter Flynn and Daniel Goldstein and musical director Lynn Shankel. Tony Award-nominee Liesl Tommy will be the keynote speaker, and Celia Keenan-Bolger and Andrew Keenan-Bolger will produce and present a video.

In addition to some of Broadway's hottest rising talent, the evening will showcase the teenage winners of the NYCLU's Freedom of Expression contest, which invites New York City public school students to speak their minds on important civil liberties issues in their lives. This year, July 18th is also Nelson Mandela day. NYCLU will showcase its impact litigation and lobbying efforts with performers reading personal testimonies from public defense reform and solitary confinement cases. The victories for human rights and dignities in these cases not only improve the lives of NYCLU's clients, but create meaningful and effective change statewide, often setting nationwide precedent, furthering the legacy of Nelson Mandela.

Proceeds from the show will benefit NYCLU's mission of promoting and protecting civil rights and liberties of all New Yorkers.

VIP tickets and sponsorship packages, now on sale for $100 and up, can be purchased here. Individual tickets, $60, can be purchased at http://nyuskirball.org/calendar/nyclu2016; by calling 212.352.3101; or in person at the Shagan Box Office located in the Center's lobby at 566 LaGuardia Pl.

For more information about the show, visit www.nyclu.org/broadway.