Janelle Farias Sando • Carson Stewart • Mitch Tobin AND SPECIAL GUEST
Javier Muñoz
PROPS DESIGN
Jenna Snyder, Alexander Wylie
CASTING CONSULTANTS
Casting by ARC
Mark Brandon, CSA, Jarrett Reicher, CSA
LIGHTING DESIGN
Jeff Croiter, Colleen Doherty
SOUND DESIGN
Marie Renee Foucher, Josh Maszle
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Jason Kooistra, Alex Theisen
COSTUME DESIGN
COSTUME COORDINATOR Jess Gersz
Kitty Cassetti, Jess Gersz, Alex Rockey, Tyler Carlton “T.C” Williams
ORCHESTRATORS
Anthony Bisbano, Matt Castle, Steven Cuevas, Frank Galgano, Abel Garriga, Isaac Hayward, Mark Janas, Ben Krauss, Brett Macias, Sean Mayes, Cameron Moncur, Rona Siddiqui, Patrick Sulken, Brian Usifer, Gonzalo Valencia-Peña, Bálint Varga, Nick Wilders
PRODUCERS
Michael Carmine Di Bianco, Ken McGee, Scott T. Stevens
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Steven Cuevas
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER E Sara Barnes
MUSIC SUPERVISORS
Ted Arthur, Mary-Mitchell Campbell
CHOREOGRAPHERS
Robert Bartley, David Bushman, Robyn Hurder, Amanda LaMotte, Colby Q. Lindeman, Adam Roberts
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
Robert Bartley
Dear friends,
On behalf of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center), we are thrilled to welcome you to this year’s 20th anniversary edition of Broadway Backwards.
As you read this, take a deep breath. Now, let it go. You are safe here.
As our LGBTQIA+ community faces relentless challenges, tonight is a radical act of joy. It’s an invitation to revel in the talent, passion and full-out fabulousness of our community and its allies.
What happens on this stage tonight does not end when the curtain falls. Broadway Backwards unites our two organizations in a shared promise: that our community will be cared for, protected and celebrated year-round. Whether through essential services for people living with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses or lifesaving support for LGBTQ+ youth, adults and those in recovery, Broadway Cares and The Center ensure that joy is backed by action.
In addition to providing lifesaving programs such as mental health counseling, HIV and AIDS services and prevention, youth programming, substance use treatment and economic initiatives, The Center stands as a vibrant hub for LGBTQ+ culture in New York City, showcasing a diverse range of artistic expressions — from flm premieres and musical talents to literary discussions and theatrical presentations. Founded in 1983 at the height of the AIDS epidemic, The Center is a safe space for all LGBTQ+ New Yorkers and empowers them to lead healthy, successful lives.
At Broadway Cares, your generosity is keeping health clinics open, food pantries stocked, meals delivered and families housed at a time when the need has never been more urgent. Across New York City and in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., you are providing emergency fnancial assistance and critical care to millions in crisis. And as the largest fnancial supporter of the Entertainment Community Fund, you are also sustaining the artists and workers who make this industry and artistry possible.
Tonight, we gather in light. Tomorrow, that light travels with us. Thank you for striving for and working toward a world where everyone can live more safely and authentically.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carla Smith Executive Director Chief Executive Ofcer
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
My friends,
Twenty years.
Twenty years of change. Twenty years of important strides forward and unimaginable joy — and of unexpected, heartbreaking setbacks.
And through it all, 20 years of Broadway Backwards. Two decades have passed, but one thing has remained constant: you. Our community.
Whether you stand in the spotlight onstage, work tirelessly backstage or sit in the audience, you are the heartbeat of this night. We are bound not only by performance, but by purpose — by the unshakable belief that no matter the challenges before us, together we can spark a brighter tomorrow.
And we have.
We are brave. We are fghters. We are survivors. As I refect on these 20 years, I see clearly what makes this community special and strong: resilience in the darkest moments, laughter in the face of fear, pride that refuses to dim. Time and again, we have chosen to stand together — to lift one another, to hold one another, to carry one another forward. And forward is the only direction we know.
Broadway Backwards is more than a title. It is a tradition. A celebration. It represents 20 years of coming together for something greater than ourselves — something our community has done for generations, and will continue to do for generations to come.
Thank you for being here tonight. Thank you for raising your voices. Thank you for lifting our stories to be seen, to be heard and to be sung. Because when our voices come together, we become a force to be reckoned with.
With love,
Robert Bartley Director
If you’re moved by tonight’s 20th anniversary performances, please consider honoring our two decades by donating $20 (or more). To donate, scan this QR code or go to broadwaycares.org/backwardsdonations.
BRAVA! BRAVO! BRAVISSIMO!
Once again, we humbly thank our friends at BROADWAY CARES and THE CENTER for their unending service to our communities.
—Ted Snowdon & Duffy Violante
by Curtis Brown
photo
BROADWAY BACKWARDS
Where artistry knows no limits and love takes center stage.
20 Years of Broadway Backwards!
Congratulations to Bob & everyone at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Center for this amazing show & all the productions thru the years! Thank you to all the performers, staff & volunteers who make the show so fantastic! Hollis Stern
Photos by Allison Stock
CHAMPIONING THE ARTS IS NICE.
SUPPORTING QUEER CHAOS IS ICONIC!
CELEBRATING
SWITCHING ROLES, BREAKING MOLDS
- ADAM POTTER & TOM WALLACE
Come to Key West
Support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS from paradise when you bid on a week stay at one of the two nicest and most private vacation rental properties in Key West.
Off a quiet lane located in the heart of Old Town, the Secret Villas are stunning, newly-renovated three bedroom, three bathroom homes, each with their own private, heated pool surrounded by lush gardens, natural vegetation and tropical canopies.
Bid online by April 3 for a week stay and make a difference while enjoying the sun and fun of the Florida Keys.*
Thank you, Jim Heslin
*Dates subject to availability
broadwaycares.org/keywest
Cheers to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Center and the amazing cast for a night of inspiration, inclusion and impact!
- Alice Wang & Peter Spiegelman
HOST COMMITTEE
Stephen Paine, co-chair
Ally Rome, co-chair
Regina R. Stuzin, co-chair
Bruce Anderson
Whitney Arcaro
Phillip Bettencourt & Jared Dworken
Philip Bialer
Roy Brayton & Mickey Sullivan
Lem Byers
Alice Byowitz
Terry Callaghan & Tom Walsh
Howard Camhi
Andrew Caravella
Neel Chopdekar & Thom Allcock
Andrew Cohen & Christopher Michaud
Kenneth E. Cooke & Jesse Avalos Jr.
SuperFrank Copsidas
Scott Curcio & Bryant Ross
Jeffrey De Korte
Drew Desky & Dane Levens
Valerie DiFebo
Drs. Frank C. Druse III & Mitchell Combs
Harriet Duffy
Doug Eichman & Michael Yount
Megan P. Fitzgerald
Andrew Frey-Gould
Grant Gardner
Dan Gettings
Steve Greenberg & Robert Armada
Amy Greenstein
David Greiss & David Romero
Ulrich Grimm
James Haag
Christian Hale
Joseph Harney & Tony Manning
John Hart & Chuck Miller
Abigail Hawk
Geoffrey Hoefer & Thomas Wei
Jeffrey Alan Johnson
Ilana F. Kameros
Jason Kelliher & Brian Rice
Samantha Kennedy and Stefanie Gorman
Courtney Kidd
Tom Kirdahy
Chuck Leachman & Mickey Feigelson
Alex Lein
Jay Lesiger & Tom Klebba
Lila Levy
Rick Lin & Evan Zazula, in loving memory of Peter Liao
Danielle Masuda
Jonathan Mintzer
Robert Moraru, MD & Stephen Barnes
Dr. Gary B. Munk
Bryan & Carlo Parsons
Michael Raymond & Andrew Moyer
Alan J. Reiff
Roz Richter
Sally Rosenberg
Wynn J. Salisch
Giovanna Slon
Dan Stone
Stephen Szypulski
Jeffrey Trachtman & Peter Chao
Kira Turchin
Wayne Vincent
Alice Wang & Peter Spiegelman
Rick Weber
Matthew Woolf & Steven Filenbaum
Alicia Wyckoff
For information about next year’s Broadway Backwards host committee, contact Jenna Adamek at adamek@broadwaycares.org
For information about becoming a corporate sponsor, contact Cydney Regus at regus@broadwaycares.org
UNDERWRITERS
The generosity of these donors helps underwrite the costs associated with producing this event so that each dollar raised can help even more people in need in our community.
Valerie DiFebo & J Dixon Byrne
Mary Fisher
The Huxley Family
Rick Lin & Evan Zazula in loving memory of our cousin Peter Liao
Michael Raymond & Andrew Moyer
Hollis Stern
For information about next year’s underwriting opportunities, contact Sarah Cardillo at cardillo@broadwaycares.org
SPONSORS
Rainbow Sponsors
Ted Snowdon & Duffy Violante
Irwin Srob
The Terrence McNally Foundation
Equality Sponsors
Casa Doce Music
Valerie DiFebo & J Dixon Byrne
Mary Fisher
Matthew Hui
Ilana Kameros
Adam Potter & Tom Wallace
Hollis Stern
Alice Wang & Peter Spiegelman
Orange Sponsors
The Case Graber Foundation
Drs. Frank C. Druse III & Mitchell A. Combs Jr.
Rick Lin & Evan Zazula in loving memory of our cousin Peter Liao
Gregg Passin & Andy Schmidt
Michael Raymond & Andrew Moyer
Roz Richter
Secret Villas of Key West & The Heslin Family Trust
WELCOME TO THE WORLD, YVES ANTONIA
We can’t wait for all you will do.
- Matthew Hui
Making an impact
Nixon Peabody salutes Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Center, and is proud to sponsor Broadway Backwards, celebrating the LGTBQ+ community through the stories told by the great songs of musical theater.
Nixon Peabody LLP 55 West 46th Street, New York, NY nixonpeabody.com | @NixonPeabodyLLP
ACT ONE
“CELL BLOCK TANGO” ...................
AARON PATRICK CRAVEN, AYDIN EYIKAN, ROBERTO FACCHIN, JAQUEZ, KOLTON KROUSE & MITCH TOBIN by John Kander & Fred Ebb from Chicago
Choreographed by Robert Bartley & Adam Roberts with Colby Q. Lindeman
Costume Design by Alex Rockey
Assistant Costume Design by Mila Zidel
Voiceover by Eric Petersen
Orchestrated by Ben Krauss
Arranged by Daniel Green
Conducted by Anna Ebbesen
“THE HISTORY OF WRONG GUYS” .......................................................... ANDREW KEENAN-BOLGER with CAMERON MITCHELL JACKSON & ENSEMBLE by Cyndi Lauper from Kinky Boots
Musical Staging by Robert Bartley
Costume Design by Alex Rockey
Assistant Costume Design by Mila Zidel
Orchestrated by Brian Usifer
Conducted by Cameron Moncur
“WHEN I’M NOT NEAR THE GIRL I LOVE” ................................................................... KATE BALDWIN by Burton Lane & E.Y. Harburg from Finian’s Rainbow Orchestrated by Abel Garriga
Conducted by Gonzalo Valencia-Peña
“THIS NEARLY WAS MINE” ................................................................................... NANCY DUSSAULT by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II from South Pacifc Orchestrated, Arranged & Conducted by Steven Cuevas
“ALL I NEED IS THE GIRL” ................................................... ROBYN HURDER & ALEXANDRA SILBER by Stephen Sondheim & Jule Styne from Gypsy
Choreography recreated by Robyn Hurder, based on original choreography by Jerome Robbins Costume Design by Tyler Carlton “T.C.” Williams Orchestrated by Anthony Bisbano Conducted by Steven Cuevas
“THE PARTY’S OVER”......................................................................................................LEN CARIOU by Jule Styne, Betty Comden & Adolph Green from Bells Are Ringing Costume Design by Tyler Carlton “T.C.” Williams Orchestrated, Arranged & Conducted by Mark Janas
“WHAT ABOUT LOVE” .............................................. MICHAEL McELROY & BRYAN TERRELL CLARK by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray from The Color Purple Orchestrated by Rona Siddiqui Conducted by Steven Cuevas
“NOBODY NEEDS TO KNOW” ......................................................................................
HANNAH CRUZ by Jason Robert Brown from The Last Five Years Orchestrated, Arranged & Conducted by Gonzalo Valencia-Peña
NUMBERS
“MACK THE KNIFE” .......................................................................................................LEA DeLARIA by Kurt Weill from The Threepenny Opera Orchestrated by Gonzalo Valencia-Peña
Conducted by Jacinth Greywoode
“Mack the Knife” was generously underwritten by The Huxley Family, in honor of Bill Huxley
“ONE DAY MORE” ......................
BOBBY CONTE, BRADLEY DEAN, FELICIA FINLEY, JEIGH MADJUS, JOHN-ANDREW MORRISON, WREN RIVERA, ALEXANDRA SILBER, CARSON STEWART & ENSEMBLE by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil & Herbert Kretzmer from Les Misérables
Costume Design by Kitty Cassetti
Orchestrated by Nick Wilders
Arranged by Ted Arthur
Conducted by Steven Cuevas
ACT TWO
“BE ITALIAN” ..........................................................................BRADLEY DEAN with FRED BERMAN, SAM FAULKNER, JANELLE FARIAS SANDO & ENSEMBLE by Maury Yeston from Nine
Choreographed by Robert Bartley & Adam Roberts with Colby Q. Lindeman
Costume Design by Tyler Carlton “T.C.” Williams
Orchestrated by Isaac Hayward
Arranged by Ted Arthur & Michael Gacetta
Conducted by Andrew Graham
“EDELWEISS”........................................................................................................ DYLAN MULVANEY by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II from The Sound of Music Orchestrated by Cameron Moncur
Arranged by Meg Zervoulis Bate
Conducted by Mary-Mitchell Campbell
“THE NEXT TEN MINUTES” ....................................................... JENN COLELLA & LAUREN PATTEN by Jason Robert Brown from The Last Five Years
Costume Design by Jess Gersz
Orchestrated by Patrick Sulken
Conducted by Myrna Conn
“IF HE WALKED INTO MY LIFE” ......................................................................... ANDREW RANNELLS by Jerry Herman from Mame Orchestrated by Matt Castle & Frank Galgano
Conducted by Anna Ebbesen
“If He Walked Into My Life” was generously underwritten by Michael Raymond & Andrew Moyer
“ALL I CARE ABOUT” .........................................................................
CADY HUFFMAN & ENSEMBLE by John Kander & Fred Ebb from Chicago Choreography recreated by David Bushman, based on original choreography by Ann Reinking, in the style of Bob Fosse
Costume Design by Kitty Cassetti
Orchestrated by Brett Macias
Conducted by Anessa Marie
“I AM WHAT I AM” .............................................................................................
JENNIFER HOLLIDAY by Jerry Herman from La Cage aux Folles
Orchestrated, Arranged & Conducted by Bálint Varga
“I Am What I Am” was generously underwritten by Hollis Stern
“NOT WHILE I’M AROUND” ..............................................
BERNADETTE PETERS & LESLIE UGGAMS with BROADWAY INSPIRATIONAL VOICES by Stephen Sondheim from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Orchestrated by Sean Mayes
Arranged by Allen René Louis
Conducted by Ted Arthur
Performers subject to change
Photo by Curtis Brown
ENSEMBLE
“THE HISTORY OF WRONG GUYS”
Matthew Mason Baker, Kayla Ceaser, Sean McGee, Cherish Myers, Eliana Nunley, Mark William
“ONE DAY MORE”
Jeremy Abram, Tiffan Borelli, Kayla Ceaser, Kris Coleman, Aaron Patrick Craven, Lauren Dattis, Kabir Gandhi, Owen Kent Ing, Sean McGee, Henry H. Miller, Cherish Myers, Eliana Nunley, Lukas Poost, Danielle Erin Rhodes, Janelle Farias Sando, Owen Scales, Taryn Smithson, Andrea Jones Sojola, Amaya White, Mark William, Hennessy Winkler
“BE ITALIAN”
Jeremy Abram, Matthew Mason Baker, Luciano Castaldo, Kris Coleman, Samuel Colina, Aaron Patrick Craven, Craig Donnelly, Jerry Gallagher, Jordon L. Garcia, Sean McGee, Henry H. Miller, Justin Mock, Jeremiah Porter, Jody Reynard, Ryan Rodiño, Jordan Stanfeld, Danny Venini, Hennessy Winkler
“ALL I CARE ABOUT”
Tia Altinay, Jessica Ernest, Danielle Marie Gonzalez, Mary Claire King, Kristen Faith Oei, Mariah Reives
BROADWAY INSPIRATIONAL VOICES
Elliot Aguilar, LaDonna Burns, Danielle Chambers, Casey Erin Clark, Kayla Coleman, Nicole Coffaro, Adee David, Bella Friedman, Lucia Giannetta, Christina Jones, Hannah Juliano, Anthony Murphy, Will Stone, Paul Trenier, Nikisha Williams, Chris Zelno
OFFSTAGE SINGERS
Sam Brackley, Marissa Bregande, Sean Doherty, Madeline Fansler, Jordon L. Garcia, Jessica Kelly, Sarah Kleist, Chris McNiff, Diogo Ramirez, Sierra Rein, Samuel Van Wyk, Jordan White
ORCHESTRA
Keyboards ...............................................................Anna Ebbesen, Mike Stapleton
Guitar Kevin Ramessar
Bass ............................................................................................... Michael Blanco
Craig Aves, John Curvan, Thomas Gloven, Jesse Hancox, Alexander Husinko, Sean Kane, Neil McShane, Valerie Menz, Gerald Schultz, David Trovarelli, Gustavo Valdez Munoz
Jack Babin, Josh Maszle, Jordan Pankin Props Larry Doby, Rachel Ferrante, Chris Gulich, Mark Illo, Douglas Purcell, Joseph Schwarz
Carpenters ...............................
Juan Bustamante, Brendan Conroy, Cedric Fearrington, Dennis Fox, Enea Gjoka, Kevin Hoesktra, Michael Johnson, Joshua Kinsella, Brendan Lee, Russell Mecionis, Tristano Mecionis, Chris Riggins, Steven Shea Wardrobe .............................................Matt Allamon, Kashish Chopra, Leah Gallagher, Alyce Gilbert, Corey Groom, Kevin Hucke, Joy Idowu, Brian B. Johnson, Shahnaz Khan, Jessica Larsen, Nicholas Leahy, Stephen Lieboff, Douglas MacArthur, Laurel Parrish, Teresa Pruitt, Jason Regner, Jonathan Reilly, Barbara Rosenthal, Keturah Thorpe, Khalila White Hair
Tiffany Hall, Tommy Matos, Ryan McWilliams, Mary Kay Yezerski
Elaine Amplo, John M Campise, Caitlin Gallagher, Sean Lynch, Pete Nardis, Derek Ranucci, Julia Waxman
Head Usher Brenda Denaris
THANK YOU Broadway Cares and The Center for your continued commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Congratulations on 20 years of excellence and inspiring performances at Broadway Backwards.
With love, Drs. Frank C. Druse, III & Mitchell A. Combs, Jr.
A little help can make a big diference
KPMG is proud to support Broadway Backwards and Broadway Care’s effort to provide meals and medication, health care, and hope to those affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses—because advancing health, dignity, and equity is central to our purpose—and to make a big difference in our communities and the people who live there. Discover more at kpmg.com
KPMG. Make the Difference.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Executive Producer Danny Whitman
Voice of God Cherie B. Tay
Stage Managers Giles T. Horne, Emma Iacometta
Calling Stage Manager Jonathan Bach
Associate Director Adam Roberts
Associate Music Directors Anna Ebbesen, Gonzalo Valencia-Peña
Supervising Orchestrator Gonzalo Valencia-Peña
Hair Designers and Supervisors Megan Burke, Tiffany Hall
Makeup Designers and Supervisors Joshua Barry, Megan Burke
Assistant Stage Managers .................. Marissa Councill, Deanna Crawford, Susan Davison, Zach DeBrino, Michael Fortna, Ainsley Grace, Trevor Greenlee, Nathan Hurlin, Rebecca Johnston, Noam Lautman, Julie Peteani, Becca Pickett, Jahdiel Rodriguez, Max Salzman, Isabel Schwartzberg, Benjamin Vigil, Jason Weixelman
Pre-production Stage Manager ......................................................................... AJ Martin
Music Assistants ................ Kerianne N. Brennan, Bronwen Chan, Ari Goldbloom-Helzner, Sandy Sahar Gooen, Alex Gutierrez, Evan Johnson, Luke Molloy, AJ Yi, Matthew Zwiebel
Wardrobe Supervisor & Dresser Coordinator........................................... Barbara Berman
Manhattan Wardrobe Supply - Tommy Boyer, Cheryl Kilbourn-Kimpton
Helen McMahon
Midtown Lumber
Pearl Studios
PRG - Dolly Alonso, Erin Insalaco
Amy Rosenthal
RWS Global - Jenna Snyder
Avery Schmitt
Gary Sitomer
Sound Associates - Steve Harris, Walter Yurgel
Allen Stein
TDF Costume Collection - Steve Cabral, Joey Haws
THEATRE AUTHORITY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to express our gratitude to the performers’ unions – Actors’ Equity Association, American Guild of Musical Artists, American Guild of Variety Artists and SAG-AFTRA – through Theatre Authority Inc. for their cooperation in permitting the artists to appear in this program.
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provides one week of healthy meals
helps provide home care for someone struggling in their fght with life-threatening illness provides one month of antiretroviral medications
helps pay overdue rent for a single parent and their kids so they don’t become homeless covers the cost of 100 HIV tests
To learn more about Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ National Grants Program and the more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations you help fund in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., please visit broadwaycares.org/nationalgrants.
Paul Tazewell
TDF/Irene Sharaff Award for Sustained Excellence in Costume Design
TDF/Irene Sharaff Ascending Artist Award Jennifer Moeller
TDF/Irene Sharaff Artisan Award Tom Watson
John Macfarlane
Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design
