Broadway’s legendary luminaries and bright rising stars lit up the storied Gershwin Theatre on March 10, 2025, as Broadway Backwards delivered powerhouse performances celebrating LGBTQ+ love, the strength of community and the boundless power of hope.

The show raised a record-shattering $1,111,788 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) in New York City. The one-night-only event is produced by Broadway Cares.

By transforming show tunes into queer stories, Broadway Backwards stands as the only annual event on Broadway custom-made for the LGBTQ+ community, friends and allies. This elevated evening brings to life the stories audiences long to see onstage in fresh, unexpected and deeply moving ways.

Jenn Colella hosted the sold-out evening, joyously welcoming returning guests while ushering in a new generation of Broadway Backwards attendees. Colella led a cast of 82 performers and a 13-piece orchestra in the event’s celebratory 19th edition.

The evening started with the Broadway Backwards ensemble weaving together a tapestry of show tune lyrics reflecting both the challenges and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ experience in today’s climate before Jordan Fisher emerged with a soaring rendition of “Defying Gravity.” In the hallowed halls of Wicked’s home theater, his electrifying performance, alongside Javier Ignacio and Gabriella Joy Rodriguez, reminded the audience that “everyone deserves the chance to fly.”

Sydney James Harcourt closed the show with a rousing rendition of “Keep Marching” from Suffs, delivering a powerful rallying cry to persist in the fight for equality and equity. Joined by an empowered ensemble, the stirring words, “Let history sound the alarm of how / The future demands that we fight for it now / It will only be ours if we keep marching, keep marching on,” echoed a resolute call to action.

The night also included a lineup of preeminent performers.

Grammy Award-nominated entertainer Adam Lambert unleashed powerhouse vocals and a rock-and-roll edge in an electrifying take on “Acid Queen” from The Who’s Tommy.

The enemies-to-lovers trope blossomed into romance as Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara lent her breathtaking vocals to the swoon-worthy title song from She Loves Me.

Torn between love and temptation, Tituss Burgess spun his dilemma into a fantastical fairytale metaphor with a soaring performance of “Meadowlark” from The Baker’s Wife.

Star-crossed lovers transformed into a predestined pairing when Tony nominees Lorna Courtney and Eden Espinosa shared a moving and magical take on “Written in the Stars” from Aida.

Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee encouraged the audience to embrace their truest selves – both in fashion and in life – urging them to “live a little brighter, live a little prouder, live a little louder,” and launched into a joyful performance of ”You’ve Got Possibilities” from It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman. 

A stroll through the Central Park Ramble turned into a story of connection and love in full bloom as Bobby Conte and Ryan Vasquez crossed paths for a romantic spin on “First Date/Last Night” from Dogfight.

One of Broadway’s buzziest stars, Joy Woods foretold her own lovely LGBTQ+ love story with a captivating rendition of “How It Ends” from Big Fish.

When a group of young gay men challenged their elders at a show tune piano bar, the older generation offered a poignant reminder — they fought for the rights the younger crowd now takes for granted. That moment of reflection set the stage for Tony Award nominee Dorian Harewood to deliver a deeply moving rendition of “Memory” from Cats.

Conrad Ricamora delivered a heartrending rendition of ”Something Wonderful” from The King and I, grappling with the virtues and vices of a love that’s anything but simple.

With an irresistible twinkle in her eye, Nikki Renée Daniels waxed poetic about a budding love interest in a charmingly coquettish spin on “Ilona” from She Loves Me.

Dionne Figgins arrived at a cozy West Village bar, seeking solace after a recent cancer diagnosis, only to be swept into joyous, live-for-the-moment revelry. With beguiling bartender Jessica Phillips leading the charge — alongside an ensemble of spirited patrons — the two raised a toast to life with “We’ll Take a Glass Together” from Grand Hotel.

Bradley Dean and Barrett Foa took doctor-patient roleplay to risqué new heights as a checkup turned delightfully cheeky during “Bad Idea” from Waitress.

Tony winners and Blue Bloods favorites Len Cariou and Gregory Jbara lamented the loss of etiquette and chivalry in modern culture with a wryly delightful take on “Class” from Chicago.

After Remi Tuckman revealed he was kicked out of his parents’ home for being gay, Tiffany Mann delivered a powerful take on “Carefully Taught” from South Pacific, highlighting both his worth and the heartbreak of prejudice.

In a gritty Times Square massage parlor, the workers – led by Manu Narayan, Preston Perez and Kate (Kei) Tsuruharatani – retreat into a dream of escape, imagining a life far from their harsh realities. Set to Miss Saigon’s haunting “Movie in My Mind,” the masseurs and masseuses long for dignity and love in a world that offers little of either.

Emmy Award winner Darren Criss made a special appearance to share the impact of supporting the lifesaving work of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Center.

Creator Robert Bartley returned to write, direct and choreograph the show. He was joined by Ted Arthur and Mary-Mitchell Campbell as music supervisors, Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders as music directors, and Chris Gurr as associate music director. Adam Roberts served as associate director, with Amanda LaMotte and Roberts as choreographers. ARC’s Mark Brandon, CSA, and Jarrett Reiche joined as casting consultants. Heather Hogan served as production stage manager.

The evening featured sound design by Josh Maszle, lighting design by Katy Atwell and Jeff Croiter and prop design by Jenna Snyder and Alexander Wylie. Costume designers were Kitty Cassetti, Antonio Consuegra, Jess Gersz, Alex Rocky and Tyler Carlton “T.C.” Williams, with hair and makeup design by Megan Burke. 

What began as a small, grassroots concert performed at The Center in 2006 quickly grew into a highly anticipated event presented in Broadway’s best theaters. In its 19 editions, Broadway Backwards has raised more than $9.7 million for Broadway Cares and The Center.

Longtime corporate partners City National Bank, The New York Times and United Airlines, the official airline of Broadway Cares, returned as lead sponsors of Broadway Backwards.

Photos by Marc J. Franklin and Michael Hull

Video by Bardo Arts; video edited by Josh Drake

This year’s program