Jessie Mueller, Jonathan Groff, Stephanie J. Block & More Set for BROADWAY BACKWARDS on 3/24

Broadway's hottest young stars will join legendary performers of the Great White Way for the ninth annual edition of Broadway Backwards, a one-night-only performance produced byBroadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefiting BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York.

This year's edition of Broadway Backwards (#bwaybackwards) will be held on Monday, March 24 at 8PM at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 W 45th Street), home to the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Kinky Boots.

The roster of Broadway stars joining this year's Broadway Backwards includes Bryan Batt (La Cage aux Folles, TV's "Mad Men"), Tony Award nominee Stephanie J. Block (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Tony winner Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd, TV's "Blue Bloods"), two-time Tony nominee Robin De Jesús (La Cage aux Folles, In The Heights), Tony nominee Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening, TV's "Looking"), three-time Tony nominee Judy Kuhn (Fun Home), Tony nominee Jessie Mueller (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever), Krysta Rodriguez (First Date, TV's "Smash"), Cass Morgan (The Bridges of Madison County), Tony Yazbeck (Encores!'s Little Me) and Patricia Morison (Broadway's original "Kate" in Kiss Me, Kateand a veteran of several other original Broadway companies including The King and I).

Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks. Performers subject to change.

"Every year I am overwhelmed by the sensational talent volunteering their time to perform and the enthusiastic response from ticket buyers so excited to support two organizations that are deeply important," said Robert Bartley, the show's creator. "Through the eight editions of Broadway Backwards so far, we've been able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars that help provide lifesaving medications, counseling and support for LGBT youth and those struggling with HIV/AIDS."

Broadway Backwards is an annual celebration where gays and lesbians see their stories told through the great songs of musical theatre, sung by their favorite Broadway performers.Broadway Backwards began as a grassroots concert performed at the Center in 2006. In subsequent years, the event grew quickly, performing Off-Broadway, then on Broadway for the last five years. Last year's sold-out show raised a record-breaking $347,060 for the two organizations.

Bartley will again direct and choreograph, with additional choreography by Amy Jones and Melissa Rae Mahon. Mary-Mitchell Campbell returns as music supervisor with Tim Rosser as music director.

Tickets are available exclusively at broadwaycares.org or by calling 212.840.0770, ext. 268. Prices start at $85.

VIP tickets include premium seats and a special post-show party with the cast. A limited number of "Backstage & Beyond" ticket packages 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.

The presenting sponsor of Broadway Backwards is Lifetime Networks with generous support from The New York Times and United Airlines.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS 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 theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $250 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Broadway Cares awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic.

For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at broadwaycares.org, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/BCEFA, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/BCEFA, watch us on YouTube at youtube.com/BCEFAtv, pin us on Pinterest at pinterest.com/BCEFA and tag us on Instagram at instagram.com/BCEFA.

Established in 1983, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is at the heart of the LGBT community in New York City, providing quality health and wellness programs in a welcoming space that fosters connections and celebrates our cultural contributions. We strive to serve the LGBT community with a full-service, multi-faceted approach to programming, from hosting arts and entertainment events, advocacy groups and family gatherings to offering youth, recovery and overall wellness programs. Each year, The Center welcomes more than 300,000 visits to our building in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan from people who engage in our life-changing and life-saving activities. We are proud to be your community Center. To learn more about our work, please visit gaycenter.org.