Theater News

Daveed Diggs, Lisa Howard, and More Join Julie Halston at 2016 Broadway Belts for PFF!

The concert benefits the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

Daveed Diggs was one of the performers at Broadway Belts for PFF!, hosted by Julie Halston.
Daveed Diggs was one of the performers at Broadway Belts for PFF!, hosted by Julie Halston.
(© David Gordon)

The sixth annual Broadway Belts concert, benefiting the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, took place on February 29 at the Edison Ballroom. The event is created and hosted by Broadway favorite Julie Halston.

Broadway Belts host Julie Halston poses for photos with cast member Cady Huffman.
Broadway Belts host Julie Halston poses for photos with cast member Cady Huffman.
(© David Gordon)

The company included Lisa Howard (It Shoulda Been You), Margo Seibert (Rocky), Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (Once Upon a Mattress), Daveed Diggs (Hamilton), Randy Graff (City of Angels), Cady Huffman (The Producers), Judy Kaye (Cinderella), Robert Creighton (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), and Telly Leung (Allegiance).

Broadway Belts was directed by Carl Andress, a frequent collaborator of host Julie Halston.
Broadway Belts was directed by Carl Andress, a frequent collaborator of host Julie Halston.
(© David Gordon)

Broadway Belts was directed by Carl Andress with Christopher McGovern serving as musical director and musical supervision by Ed Windels. The benefit was produced for the sixth straight year by D. Michael Dvorchak, Sue Frost, Julie Halston, and Ed Windels.

Lisa Howard was on the list of performances for Broadway Belts for PFF!
Lisa Howard was on the list of performances for Broadway Belts for PFF!
(© David Gordon)

This one-of-a-kind evening of Broadway stars performing some of their favorite songs began as a tribute to the beloved Broadway theater critic Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press, who died suddenly of pulmonary fibrosis in 2010. Coincidentally, Ms. Halston’s husband, the veteran newscaster Ralph Howard, himself was diagnosed with PF and a short time later, received a life-saving lung transplant.

Zakiya Young takes part in Broadway Belts for PFF! at the Edison Ballroom.
Zakiya Young takes part in Broadway Belts for PFF! at the Edison Ballroom.
(© David Gordon)