Kathie Lee Gifford to Host BROADWAY ON BROADWAY 2012; Set for Sept. 9

Actress, singer, television host, playwright, songwriter and author Kathie Lee Gifford will host the 20th Broadway on Broadway concert, it was just announced by The Broadway League and the Times Square Alliance.

The free outdoor concert in the heart of Times Square will take place on Sunday, September 9th at 11:30am to kick off the 2012-2013 Broadway season with star performances from new shows and long-running favorites, accompanied by a live 30-piece live orchestra.

Gifford is the writer (book and lyrics) of the upcoming new musical Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson that is coming to Broadway in October. She's best known for her 15 years on "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" (11 Emmy nominations), and is currently the three-time Emmy Award-winning co-host of the fourth hour of NBC's "Today" show with Hoda Kotb.

“I am so honored and thrilled to host this year’s Broadway on Broadway concert,” said Kathie Lee Gifford. “Over the past 20 years, Broadway on Broadway has become one of the most exciting and highly-anticipated events of the season, with amazing performances from the best that Broadway has to offer. And I’m looking forward to kicking-off a brand new theater season on September 9 with thousands of Broadway fans in Times Square!”

Gifford made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim's Putting It Together in 2000, then originated the role of Marta Dunhill in Rupert Holmes' Thumbs and played Miss Hannigan in a record-breaking run of Annie at Madison Square Garden. In 2005 her first musical Under the Bridge (book and lyrics) opened Off-Broadway. She contributed three songs to Hats!, the musical, has recorded numerous CDs and is a three-time New York Times best-selling author.

"Kathie Lee Gifford is talented, smart, and feisty, and I can't wait to see what she does on stage at Broadway on Broadway!" says Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League. "She's a Broadway Baby at heart, and a true Broadway fan, so we're extra thrilled that she's coming back this season. She can sing, she can act, she can write, she can host ... so she's the perfect headliner for this year's concert."

“This year’s Broadway on Broadway is a celebration of twenty years of success – and who better to help us celebrate this milestone than one of Broadway’s biggest supporters and longtime stars,” said Tim Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance. “Twenty years after our first Broadway on Broadway, Times Square and Broadway have become the world’s most concentrated live entertainment and theater hub, bringing the best of the stage to millions of New Yorkers and visitors every year.”

Broadway on Broadway is presented by United Airlines and The New York Times. The annual free outdoor concert at the crossroads of the world brings together stars and performances from current and upcoming Broadway productions to celebrate the beginning of the new Broadway season. Times Square will be a big block party with thousands of attendees between 46th & 47th streets between Broadway and Seventh Avenue.

A complete list of shows performing will be announced soon and additional information can be found on www.BroadwayonBroadway.com.

The Music Performance Fund is an Official Supporter. WCBD-FM 101.1 and Fresh 102.7 FM and Clear Channel Spectacolor are Official Media Partners. Additional Support is provided by Theatre Development Fund. Broadway on Broadway is co-produced by The Broadway League and The Times Square Alliance. The live event is produced by IMG Media.