Leslie Odom, Jr., Carrie Manolakos and More Join BROADWAY STANDS UP FOR FREEDOM

The New York Civil Liberties Union (the New York State affiliate of the ACLU) today announced additional casting for its annual benefit concert, Broadway Stands Up for Freedom, at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, on Monday, July 23.

Leslie Odom, Jr., a star of the hit TV-show Smash, has joined the lineup along with singer-songwriter and actress Carrie Manolakos, whose rendition of Radiohead’s Creep is approaching 1 million views on YouTube. Uzo Aduba, who performed in the recent revival of Godspell, has also joined the roster.

These artists join previously announced performers Nikki Renée Daniels (Porgy & Bess), Darius de Haas (Rent), Lindsay Mendez (Dogfight), Ripley Sobo (Once), The Broadway Boys, Ethan Lipton and his Orchestra, and founding performer Liana Stampur with Clinton Curtis. Long time NYCLU supporter Celia Keenan-Bolger (a Tony-nominee for her turn in Peter and the Starcatcher) will make a special appearance, as well.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. The Skirball Center is located at 566 LaGuardia Place.

Tickets, beginning at $60, can be purchased online at www.nyuskirball.org. For more information about the show, including a complete list of performers, visit www.nyclu.org/broadway.

"This is not a snoozy that you pray will end before "Hoarders". It's great Broadway people being hilarious and/or singing great music. You will say 'brava!'" said Seth Rudetsky who hosts and musical directs. The show is staged by Daniel Goldstein, director of the recent Broadway revival of Godspell.

Celia Keenan-Bolger adds "BSUFF is one of my favorite evenings of the whole year. It brings together two things I care about deeply: Civil Rights and Broadway. It's a fun, entertaining concert with amazing talent AND it raises awareness of the many issues the NYCLU is fighting for on our behalf. Also, I will never turn down the opportunity to hear Tony Kushner speak in public."

"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Broadway community rallying around the work of the NYCLU," said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. "We are thrilled to honor the contributions these artists make to New Yorkers' lives and to celebrate the vital link between civil liberties and the arts at this year's show.”

Proceeds from the show benefit the NYCLU's youth programs, including its work with LGBT teenagers; its Teen Activist Project, which engages New York City teens as organizers and peer educators on civil rights and civil liberties issues; and its work to stop overly aggressive policing and zero-tolerance discipline in the city's public schools.

VIP tickets and sponsorship packages, now on sale for $250 and up, can be purchased here. Individual tickets, $100/$60, can be purchased three ways: Online at www.nyuskirball.org; by phone at 212.352.3101, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., and 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; or in person at the Shagan Box Office located in the Center's lobby at 566 LaGuardia Place. Regular box office hours are Tuesday-Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m. plus two hours prior to performance.

For more information about the show, including a complete list of performers, visit www.nyclu.org/broadway.