Theater News

Broadway Backwards Goes Forward

Cheyenne Jackson, Sandra Bernhard, Whoopi Goldberg, Alan Cumming, Gina Gershon, Michael Urie, Becki Newton, Aaron Lazar, Florence Henderson and a host of stars perform at the 4th annual benefit for the LGBT Center.

New York City

On Monday night, Broadway Backwards 4, a benefit for the LGBT Center in which some of Broadway’s biggest stars sang gender-bending, gay-friendly versions of show tunes, played to a sold-out house at the American Airlines Theater. The show opened with Tony Award winner Alan Cumming’s unusual rendition of Evita‘s “Rainbow High.”

Whoopi Goldberg led a group of tough-looking gals in a sassy “Gee, Officer Krupke” from West Side Story.

Aaron Lazar sang a gorgeous rendition of the ballad “On My Own” from Les Miserables.

John Tartaglia and Jose Llana explored the perils of Internet dating in a funny take on Fiddler on the Roof‘s “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.”

Tony Yazbeck showed off his singing and dancing chops — as well as his biceps — in a sultry routine using Cole Porter’s “Buddy Beware.”

Sandra Bernhard and Cheyenne Jackson clowned around on another Porter classic, “You’re the Top.”

Florence Henderson — who turns 75 years young on Saturday — led a rousing rendition of “There Is Nothin’ Like A Dame” from South Pacific — the show in which she played Nellie Forbush over 40 years ago!

Len Cariou — no stranger to the songs of Stephen Sondheim — performed a passionate “Losing My Mind” from Follies.

Film and stage star Gina Gershon rose to the occasion by performing Jacques Brel’s beloved “Madeleine.”

Tituss Burgess — on his night off from Broadway’s Guys & Dolls — thrilled the crowd with a soaring version of Stephen Schwartz’s “Meadowlark.”

Ugly Betty stars Michael Urie and Becki Newton — joined by Jersey Boys‘ Christopher Kale Jones — tore into Sondheim’s hilarious “Getting Married Today” from Company.

The always fabulous Maureen McGovern scored with “This Nearly Was Mine” from South Pacific.

Mario Cantone paid tribute to event co-chairs Terrence McNally and John Kander by performing a superb version of “Chief Cook and Bottlewasher” from their show The Rink.

The ever-exciting Sally Mayes wowed the audience in a lavish production number using Lerner and Loewe’s “Get Me to the Church on Time” from My Fair Lady.

Finally, the three-hour concert concluded with Marty Thomas performing his now-signature number “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.