Photo Coverage: Broadway Backwards Benefit
By: Linda Lenzi Jun. 07, 2006
"Broadway Backwards: Songs of Survival and Love," the one-night-only, star-studded Broadway concert kicking off Pride Month and benefiting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York City, took place on Monday, June 5th at 7 PM.
"'Broadway Backwards: Songs of Survival and Love' features an evening of Broadway's showtunes...with a twist. Ever wondered what it be like to hear three sexy Broadway guys sing 'Ya Gotta Get a Gimmick' from Gypsy? Or one of Broadway's most appealing leading ladies sing 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face' from My Fair Lady? Or two handsome leading men singing 'We Kiss in a Shadow' from The King and I? Now is your chance to hear Broadway's finest tackle gender reversed songs of musical theatre," according to press notes.Performers included Michelle Blakely, Cheyenne Jackson, Karen Mason, Michael McElroy, Harvey Evans, Kurt Peterson, Andrea Burns, Julie Wilson, Charles Busch, Steven Brinberg, Paul Castree, Matt Cavenaugh, Rachel Ulanet, Andrea McArdle, Suzanne Fiore, Pamela Myers, Alice Playten, and Ric Ryder. Seth Rudetsky hosted the event, which was directed by Robert Bartley and featured musical direction by Michael Lavine.
Established in 1983, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, 208 West 13th Street in New York City, is the largest LGBT community center organization on the East Coast. More than 6,000 people visit the Center weekly. Visit www.gaycenter.org for more information.
Cheyenne Jackson (All Shook Up, AIDA, Film: United 93)
Michael McElroy (Tony nominee Big River, The Wild Party, Rent), Michael Lavine (Broadway Backwards, Musical Director) and Alice Playten (Caroline or Change, Seussical, Tony nominee Henry, Sweet Henry)
Michelle Blakely (Grease, Annie Get Your Gun) and Cheyenne Jackson
A little Follies reunion with Harvey Evans (Follies, West Side Story, Sunset Boulevard, Anyone Can Whistle) and Kurt Peterson (Captain Louie, Follies, The Baker's Wife)
Julie Wilson (Tony nominee Legs Diamond, Kismet, Pajama Game), Robert Bartley (Broadway Backwards, Director), Alice Playton and Cheyenne Jackson
Cheyenne Jackson, Michael McElroy and Charles Busch (Actor, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, director, drag legend, star of the films Die Mommie Die and The Lady in Question is Charles Busch. Tony nominated author The Tale of the Allergist's Wife)
Karen Mason (Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard, And the World Goes Round) and Julie Wilson
Robert Bartley, Harvey Evans, Charles Busch and Kurt Peterson
Karen Mason, Robert Bartley and Julie Wilson
Cheyenne Jackson and Charles Busch (upcoming Actors Fund New York Benefit of "Die Mommie Die!")
Christine Pedi (Forbidden Broadway, Little Me) and Steven Brinberg (Funny Girl concert, Mac & Bistro Awards, Recording artist Simply Barbra)
Cheyenne Jackson, Donna McKechnie and Charles Busch
Karen Mason and Donna McKechnie
Seth Rudetsky (Broadway Backwards, Host) and Donna McKechnie stiking a pose in honor of the upcoming A Chorus Line
Paul Castree (All Shook Up, Saturday Night Fever, Hair concert) and Ric Ryder (Blood Brothers, The Music Man)
A Grease reunion with Ric Ryder (Doody), Michelle Blakely (Patty Simcox) and Paul Castree (Eugene)
Pamela Myers (Tony-nominee Company, Into the Woods), Andrea Burns (Parade, Songs for a New World, The Full Monty) and Seth Rudetsky
Daniel Whitman (Event Producer) and Cheyenne Jackson
Andrea McArdle (Tony nominee Annie, State Fair, Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables)
Michael McElroy and Andrea McArdle
Harvey Evans and Steven Brinberg
Matt Cavenaugh (Grey Garden, Urban Cowboy), Michael McElroy and Charles Busch
Robert Bartley, Pamela Myers, Andrea Burns and Seth Rudetsky
Suzanne Fiore (Ragtime), Rachel Ulanet (Beauty and the Beast, King David) and Michelle Blakely
Andrea McArdle with items from the performers "gift" appreciation bag
Rob Moraru, Steven Brinberg and Cheyenne Jackson
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