At the 5th annual NextGen Spotlight, powerhouse performers united on The Green Room 42 stage to celebrate Broadway’s stars on the rise. The annual benefit concert, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ NextGen Advocates, raised a record $29,103.

The evening of storytelling and song was directed and hosted by Broadway’s Jelani Remy on September 17, 2026. Remy made a dazzling entrance, opening the event with a stirring rendition of “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from Sunset Boulevard, with lyrics rewritten to introduce the show and the accompanying Spotlight Band, led by musical director Jeremiah Ginn. Remy also took this moment to acknowledge the audience and performers’ shared love and appreciation for Broadway Cares.

Regina Sophia, who recently made her Broadway debut in Chess, captivated audiences with a charming performance of “When He Sees Me” from Waitress. While you may have caught Cabaret’s Marty Lauter performing in the Kit Kat Club or on RuPaul’s Drag Race, for NextGen Spotlight they tackled a different selection from the Kander and Ebb repertoire, performing “Maybe This Time.”

2025 Jimmy Award winner Chris Hayes, who was also seen at this year’s Broadway Dream Roles, stepped into the spotlight with a playful rendition of “Dancing Through Life” from Wicked. 

The celebratory night also recognized theater educator Carolyn Little of Toms River North High School in New Jersey for her role inspiring the next generation of artists and philanthropists. Greyson Chapman, who played “The Little Boy” in Ragtime, shared “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman.

Triple threat Tallulah Nouss brought down the house with a dynamic performance of “Show Off” from The Drowsy Chaperone, complete with full choreography, including high kicks, pirouettes and a back handspring. John Clay III, who was most recently seen in Ragtime understudying Coalhouse Walker Jr., presented a moving rendition of Luther Vandross ’”A House is Not a Home.”

Jaryd Farcon, of TV’s Dancing with the Stars, performed an electrifying dance solo to “Money” from Cabaret, action-packed with extreme precision and agility. This piece was choreographed by NextGen Spotlight alum Nick Alvino, seen in Broadway’s Death Becomes Her.

Remy began a touching performance of “Flying Without Wings” by Westlife with a short, impromptu speech about what makes NextGen Spotlight so special. 

“This is the fifth year of us doing this Spotlight show, because it’s such a great feeling to give back,” Remy shared. “Every dollar that I raise, every opportunity that I have to perform or let someone shine fills something in me that is just an indescribable feeling.”

Orchestra pit musician Angela Shankar took to the stage, sharing tales of her musical training with the audience. Her extensive resume includes playing in the orchestras for Camelot, Chess, The Lion King, Merrily We Roll Along, The Music Man, Suffs, Wicked and next up – the anticipated revival of Evita. Ginn provided vocals for her jazz-infused clarinet rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.”

Maria Bilbao delivered a power-packed performance of “Meadowlark” from The Baker’s Wife. Bilbao is no stranger to singing ballads about birds, as she was most recently seen on Broadway as Johanna in the revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Diego Rodriguez, who will reprise his role of Che in Jamie Lloyd’s Evita after his Olivier-nominated turn in the West End, took to the stage of Green Room 42 to sing “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story.

This year’s Spotlight Champion Ken Ard closed the show with some words of wisdom, inspiration and a toast to “all of the people who are starting their journey,” singing Shirley Horn’s “Here’s To Life.” Ard played Macavity in the original Broadway cast of Cats, returning to the world of the Jellicles as DJ Griddlebone in the celebrated revival, Cats: The Jellicle Ball.

The night also highlighted emerging new work François and the Rebels, which tells the true story of the Haitian Revolution from 1791-1804 through the lens of punk-rock music. An excerpt was performed by creator Jaime Cepero, William Bailey and Brit West, with Zach Sibilberg on guitar.

The Spotlight Band, which accompanied the performers throughout the night, consisted of Ginn on piano, Britton Matthews on drums and Mohan Ritsema on bass.

The NextGen Advocates are young professional ambassadors committed to supporting the work of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Every ticket purchase will help provide healthy meals, lifesaving medication, emergency financial assistance, housing, counseling and more to people across the country, including those in entertainment and performing arts, affected by HIV/AIDS and other debilitating illnesses.

Photos by Nicole Wilson