Broadway’s brightest stars shared the spotlight with some of New York City’s most adoptable scene-stealers as Broadway Barks returned July 12, 2025, to Shubert Alley for a heartwarming afternoon of rescue and celebration. Dozens of dogs and cats from local shelters and rescue groups took centerstage, introduced to a cheering crowd of animal lovers eager to meet their next furry family members.

Broadway Barks co-founder and three-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters welcomed an enthusiastic, pet-loving crowd that squeezed in shoulder to shoulder to meet the precious pooches and captivating cats from 26 New York area rescue groups and shelters. Tony winner Beth Leavel, who co-hosted the afternoon with Peters, joked it was like being in a chocolate shop: “I’ll take one of each!”

A parade of Broadway favorites – including 2025 Tony winners and nominees Danny Burstein, Cole Escola, Jon Michael Hill, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix, Jak Malone, Audra McDonald, David Hyde Pierce, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Sadie Sink and Kara Young – joined the fun, introducing the adoptable pets to the crowd.

The shelters and rescues lined Shubert Alley and West 45th Street offering visitors an up-close opportunity to meet the adorable cats and dogs. The animals then took centerstage, introduced one by one in hopes of finding their forever homes.

Actor Erika Henningsen, who rescued her German shepherd/cattle dog mix, Lennox, three years ago, talked about the impact adoption has had on her.

“It’s so beautiful to want to spend your time on a pet in general, but particularly a pet in need who’s been given up – it’s one of the most beautiful things we can all do with our extra energy,” Henningsen said. “There is something about the bond you form with a rescue where you both need one another. I think I needed Lennox as much as she needed me.”

Tony nominee Julia Knitel rescued her orange tabby cat, Phoebe, five years ago while on the road with Come From Away. She met Phoebe when the kitten was only 3 weeks old, found in the basement of the theater where the show played in Charlotte, NC. 

“There is nothing better than having an animal to come home to,” Knitel said. “And being able to give a sweet loving home to an animal that needs one is truly such a mutually beneficial experience. It’s the best thing you can do to enrich your life and theirs.”

Broadway Barks was founded in 1999 by Peters and the late Mary Tyler Moore, both lifelong animal advocates. Since then, the event has helped more than 2,200 animals find homes and has raised awareness for pet adoption across the city.

This year’s event also featured a joyful opening number — a rendition of “Old Friends,” performed by Peters, Leavel and fellow castmates from Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, which ended its limited Broadway run last month. Performers included Jacob Dickey, Kevin Early, Paige Faure, Gavin Lee, Alexa Lopez, Greg Mills, Peter Neureuther, Kyle Selig and Maria Wirries, each carrying an adoptable dog.

Additional Broadway guests helping the adoption action were Isa Antonetti, Alana Arenas, Jeannette Bayardelle, Natalie Venetia Belcon, Erich Bergen, Emily Bergl, Ali Louis Bourzgui, Preston Truman Boyd, Sophie Carmen-Jones, Victoria Clark, Tatianna Córdoba, David Cumming, Glenn Davis, Stephen DeRosa, Dez Duron, Lana Gordon, Molly Griggs, Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, Philip Huber, Mylinda Hull, Kecia Lewis, Alison Luff, Lesli Margherita, Hagan Oliveras, Brad Oscar, Michele Pawk, Amanda Reid, Zoë Roberts, Steven Skybell, Lili Thomas, Allie Trimm, Jordan Tyson, Max von Essen, Jessica Vosk, Samantha Williams, Maria Wirries, Azalea Wolfe, Gianna Yanelli and Grace Hodgett Young.

Participating shelters and rescues were 1 Love 4 Animals, Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniels Rescue, Adopt A Boxer Rescue, Animal Care Centers of New York City, Anjellicle Cats Rescue, Badass Animal Rescue, Best Friends Animal Society, Bideawee, Big Apples Cats, Bobbi and the Strays, Catstoria Cat Rescue, City Critters, Every Last One Rescue, Francis’s Friends, Give Me Shelter Project, Hearts and Bones Rescue, Husky House, Linda’s Cat Assistance, Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, North Shore Animal League, Pet ResQ Inc., Remember Me Rescue, SaveKitty Foundation, SPCA of Westchester and Urban Cat League.

Broadway Barks producers were Richard Hester, Patty Saccente and Scott T. Stevens.

Photos by Michael Hull, Oliver Rodriguez and Nicole Wilson

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