Guest
Andrew Keenan-Bolger swept the Broadway Backwards audience off its feet in a cheerful reinvention of “He Plays the Violin” from 1776. Rather than pining for Thomas Jefferson, Bolger’s love interest was a dreamy violin student with skill to spare, played by Dominic Dorset. Romance bloomed in this joyous number under the watchful eye of the music teacher, played by Bill Nolte. Broadway Backwards, the annual Broadway extravaganza celebrating the LGBTQ community through the great songs of musical theater, returns to Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre on Monday, March 13, 2023. The beloved evening and its star-studded cast will embrace love and self-expression in true Broadway fashion. “He Plays the Violin“ with Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Dominic Dorset, Bill Nolte and Ensemble by Sherman Edwards from 1776 Choreographed by Robert Bartley and Joshua Buscher-West Costume Design by Tyler Carlton Williams Arranged, Orchestrated and Conducted by Nick Wilders Broadway luminaries and cheerful audience members united in full and jubilant force May 23, 2022, lending their light to celebrate LGBTQ lives, culture and contributions with the in-person return of Broadway Backwards. Broadway Backwards creator Robert Bartley wrote and directed this year’s return to the stage alongside associate director Adam Roberts. Bartley and Roberts joined James Kinney and Joshua Buscher-West in choreographing the show. Mary-Mitchell Campbell served as music supervisor; Ted Arthur was music director with Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders as associate music directors. The 16th edition of the show, which had not been performed live since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic, raised a record-breaking $758,582 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City. Jenn Colella returned as host, leading a cast of 86 performers and a 13-piece orchestra that enchanted a standing-room-only audience at Disney’s New Amsterdam Theatre with LGBTQ affirming numbers. Broadway Backwards creator Robert Bartley wrote and directed this year’s return to the stage alongside associate director Adam Roberts. Bartley and Roberts joined James Kinney and Joshua Buscher-West in choreographing the show. Mary-Mitchell Campbell served as music supervisor; Ted Arthur was music director with Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders as associate music directors. The creative team included lighting design by Craig Stelzenmuller, costume design by Tyler Carlton Williams, Jeff Johnson-Doherty, John Kristiansen and Natalie Loveland, prop design by Jenna Snyder and Alexander Wylie and sound design by Marie Renee Foucher. Jeff Brancato was production supervisor and Gregory R. Covert was production stage manager. Binder Casting’s Mark Brandon and Chad Eric Murnane served as casting consultants. Video by Bardo Arts Productions. What began as a small, grassroots concert performed in the community room at The Center in 2006 has grown into a highly anticipated event presented in one of Broadway’s most beautiful theaters. In its 16 editions, Broadway Backwards has raised $6.3 million for Broadway Cares and The Center. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theater community, since 1988 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other critical illnesses across the United States. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the major supporter of the social service programs at the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway Cares also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., providing lifesaving medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency assistance. For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at , at , at , at @bcefa and at
