BROADWAY BACKWARDS II
2015-2019
For the past twelve years, Bob and I have had the privilege of attending
Broadway Backwards, a benefit for New
York City's LGBT Center on 13th Street and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
So what is Broadway Backwards,
you ask? Simply put, it's a glorious evening of music, love, and laughter where
the guys sing songs usually associated with women and the gals sing songs
usually associated with men. There are comedy songs, torch songs, love songs,
and crackingly-sharp production numbers featuring a blisteringly-talented
ensemble. Some years may be marginally better than others, but it's always an
incredible evening full of laughter, great singing and dancing, and, yes, often
some tears. It always sells out its venue, it raises a lot of money, and it gives us hope that even in today's horrid
environment, love will prevail.
Starting with their 10th anniversary edition…
March, 2015. Hosted by the singular Julie Halston and the talented Rob
McClure, this 10th anniversary edition was like a "Broadway Backwards
Greatest Hits." And we loved every single minute of it. Just some of the
delights on display that night: a touching, soaring "A Boy Like That/I
Have a Love" by Aaron Lazar and Tony Yazbek; a spot-on, hysterical
"Cell Block Tango" by the male ensemble; Tituss Burgess raising the
Hirschfeld roof with "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," which
closed Act One; "There Is Nothing Like a Dame," with the one and only
Florence Henderson and the ladies ensemble; a joyous "I Could Have Danced
All Night" by Douglas Sills; "Home," delivered with power and
heart by Norm Lewis; Maureen McGovern's quiet, simple "This Nearly Was
Mine"; "The Man I Love," in an elegant rendition by Brian Stokes
Mitchell. It's all for a marvelous cause, and it's always memorable. – at the
Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York
BROADWAY BACKWARDS (11) – Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York
March, 2016. Every event should have the irreverent Julie White as a
host. Bracing and refreshing, she made a fabulous evening even more fabulous. I
mean, where else can you experience moments like Krysta Rodriguez's joyous "She Touched Me;"
"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" by Jay Armstrong Johnson and the
male ensemble in a version that would make Marilyn envious; "The Party's
Over" in a lovely, quiet version by Len Cariou, still a star all these
decades later; and speaking of stars, how about Ken Page and André De Shields
doing "Find Out What They Like (and How They Like It) from Ain't Misbehavin'; "Forget About
the Boy" with Tony Yazbek, Eddie Korbich and the Ensemble in full-fledged
showstopper mode; "All I Care About Is Love" featuring the one and
only, legendary Chita Rivera and the ladies; Tituss Burgess' exciting "The
Story Goes On." Year after year, an evening of memorable delights. – at
the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York
BROADWAY BACKWARDS (12) – Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York
March, 2017. Julie White as host in resplendent anti-Trump form and
delicious as always. Andrew Rannells wowed us with "Wherever He
Ain't." Michael Longoria, Dominic Nolfi, and Daniel Reichard gave us a
lovely "At the Ballet." Elizabeth Stanley had us all howling with
"The Sensitive Song." Josh
Groban closed Act 1 with a heartfelt "Someone Else's Story." In Act
2, Kathleen Turner (!!) treated us to a credible "I've Grown Accustomed to
Her Face." (I know. Who knew she could sing, right?); "Sixteen Going
on Seventeen" by Jay Armstrong Johnson and Andrew Keenan-Bolger forever
changed the way I will look at that song. And let's not forget a
gorgeously-sung "If I Loved You" by Rachel York and Lora Lee Gayer, a
"Let It Go" I actually liked by Santino Fontana, and, to end the
evening, Cynthia Erivo raising the roof with "Make Them Hear You."
And that, boys and girls, is why this is much-anticipated yearly event for us.
– at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York
BROADWAY BACKWARDS (13) – Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York
April, 2018. In an evening of incredible performances at the 2018
Broadway Backwards, I think my favorite had to be Jay Armstrong Johnson
recreating the original Bob Fosse choreography, thank you very much, in
"If They Could See Me Now." And that boy has one fine tush. Trust me
on that. But wait. There was more, much more. Tony Yazbek, one of the most
awesomely talented men on Broadway, and "Vanilla Ice Cream." Yum!
Anneliese van der Pol's stunning "She Touched Me." Ethan Slater and
the Ensemble in "The Lady is a Tramp." Michael McElroy and Bryan Terrell
Clark's "What About Love?" Joey McIntyre delivered the goods with
"Don't Rain on My Parade" and Telly Leung and Taylor Trensch sang a
gorgeous "Who Will Love Me as I Am?" from the under-appreciated Side Show. I could have done with a
different final number, since I truly detest "This Is Me" from The Greatest Showman. I find the song
loaded with insincere cliché. (Didn't care much for the film either.) I'm sure
I'm in the minority regarding this song. Can't wait for next year. – at the Al
Hirschfeld Theatre, New York
BROADWAY BACKWARDS (14) – New Amsterdam Theatre, New York
March, 2019. A not-so-funny thing happened at the fourteenth annual Broadway Backwards benefit concert. This
was the first time in twelve years (we've been to every edition except the
first two) that we've left the theatre with very mixed feelings about what we'd
just seen. In a program that ranged from thrilling to, well, not thrilling, I
felt the material this year wasn't always the most exciting and/or relevant,
coupled with a few baffling performances. This year also seemed to lack the
soaring, romantic ballads that give an emotional pow to the evening. Since
almost everyone involved donated their time and talent to the event, it's
probably churlish of me to say I was, frankly, rather glad when the first act
was over, despite some really excellent performances. (Not pointing fingers,
but the number from Spring Awakening
was unintelligible and just plain odd, and the classic from Bye, Bye Birdie was trying so hard to be
hip, it fell flat.) Deep breath. Okay…bitching over. Let's talk instead about
the good stuff. Kicking off the proceedings was an exciting "Where You
Are" featuring Gavin Creel and Andrew Rannells. Jenn Collella was a funny
and gracious host, and kicked ass in the terrific finale (so much better than
last year's mundane "This Is Me."). Darren Criss, ably supported by
Ward Billeisen and Michael James Scott, was adorable in "Getting Married
Today." Legends Donna McKechnie and Bebe Neuwirth were beguiling in a
charming "I Still Get Jealous." Robyn Hurder and Alexandra Silber
gave Jerome Robbins' original choreography a proper turn in "All I Need is
the Girl." Clive Alves, Nathan Lee Graham, and the male ensemble, complete
with the Bob Fosse moves, treated us to a sizzling "Big Spender." Any
show that features a number by the inimitable Kathleen Turner gets my vote, and
Ms. T. did a nicely wry "I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan." Debra
Monk's comic turn in "I Met a Girl" was priceless, and Bonnie
Milligan did a fine job with the vocals, though I could have done without the
belting/screech at the end. Andrew Keenan-Bolger's "I Feel Pretty"
was just ridiculous and totally fun, with able support by the guys in the
ensemble and a killer bit by Janelle Lutz as the boss from hell. Vocal kudos of
the evening, and the closest the evening came to an emotional highlight, was
Jarrod Spector's thrilling "The Way of Love." Spot-on interpretation
and just effortless in his vocals. Housed in the gorgeous New Amsterdam, Broadway Backwards, with proceeds
benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Center, is a painless way
to support these two awesome charities, and though we were both less than
enthralled with this year's production, we'll be back next year. – at the New
Amsterdam Theatre, New York
Broadway Backwards…long may it reign!
© 2019 Jeffrey Geddes
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