SPECIAL EDITION! BROADWAY BACKWARDS II: 2015-2019

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…

BROADWAY BACKWARDS (10TH ANNIVERSARY) – Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York

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

IN PRAISE OF BROADWAY BACKWARDS

IN PRAISE OF BROADWAY BACKWARDS

For the past six years, Bob and I have had the privilege of attending Broadway Backwards, an evening of theatre music benefiting New York City's LGBT Center on 13th Street and, since edition #5, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS as well. This past week on March 18, Broadway Backwards 8 was presented at the venerable Palace Theatre. The place was sold-out and raised nearly $350,000! That's both a lot of seats sold and a lot of money raised.

So what is Broadway Backwards, you ask? Simply put, it's a glorious evening 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 performed by well-known and respected theatre stars, many of whom are equally at home on television and in film, supported by a blisteringly talented ensemble. When we first started going to this event, it was a hosted musical revue. For the past two editions, a story line has been added, which is all very earnest and relevant, but sometimes breaks the momentum and slows down the evening. And that, folks, is my only quibble. 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.

Broadway Backwards…long may it reign!

February, 2008. This was the start of our annual tradition.  This was also the first year that this event was presented at a Broadway house, in this case the smallish American Airlines Theatre. Seth Rudetsky was a hilarious host and kept the show moving. Unfortunately I can't find the song list, so I honestly don't recall who sang what. What I do remember is David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris nailing a song from Rent, Julie Halston keeping us in stitches (and when doesn't she?), and the thrill of seeing all these amazing performers: Gary Beach, Tituss Burgess, Charles Busch, Kerry Butler, Len Carious, Gavin Creel, Sandy Duncan, Ann Harada, Cheyenne Jackson, Aaron Lazar, Karen Mason, Andrea McArdle, Lea Michele, Julia Murney and Tony Yazbek. I remember wishing we'd seen the first two editions. - at the American Airlines Theatre, New York

February, 2009. Once again, this event attracts the cream of Broadway talent. The loudest and most sustained applause was saved for legends Anna Meara, Florence Henderson (very VERY funny) and Maureen McGovern (my God, can that woman sing!).  "Matchmaker" with Christopher Sieber,  John Tartaglia and Jose Llana was a hoot.  So was Whoopi Goldberg leading the female ensemble in "Gee, Officer Krupke."  "Ugly Betty's" Michael Urie and Becki Newton did well with "Getting Married Today", and he's adorable in person.  The male ensemble performed a kick-ass "Big Spender." Tituss Burgess gave us a wonderful "Meadowlark." The entire show was professional to the max with one glaring exception. Sandra Bernhard was embarrassing...drunk? stoned? high?  Who knows, but we felt so sorry for her co-performer, smoking hot Cheyenne Jackson. Another memorable evening! - at the American Airlines Theatre, New York

February, 2010. For the 5th edition, the Center joined forces with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for the first time and a terrific show became even better and, dare I say this, even more polished and professional. The change of venue to the Beaumont added many more seats and the theatre, not surprisingly, was sold out. Highlights: Tonya Pinkins thrilling us with "Too Many Mornings," Aaron Lazar's "As Long As He Needs Me," Nick Adams, Timothy W. Bish and Adam Perry tearing their way through an exhilarating "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This," Douglas Sills' absolutely charming "I Could Have Danced All Night," Raul Esparza's moving "The Man That Got Away," Mario Cantone and the male ensemble in "Where You Are," and Tituss Burgess' "Children Will Listen." Bravissimo! - at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, New York

 February, 2011.  Another sold-out house for the annual event benefiting the Center and BC/EFA. My favorites included: Alan Cumming being appropriately sleazy in "Don't Tell Mama," Ward Billeisen, Colman Domingo and Jose Llana's "You Could Drive a Person Crazy," the uber-sexy boys of the ensemble playing the merry murderers of the Cook County Jail in their rendition of the "Cell Block Tango," Debra Monk's lovely "On the Street Where You Live," Lillias White haunting "Some Enchanted Evening," Brian Charles Rooney and Ensemble in a stirring "One Halloween/Being Alive" combo, "All I Care About is Love" as performed by the singular Bebe Neuwirth and the ladies, Tony Yazbek's jaw-dropping "The Music and the Mirror," and Clay Aiken's moving "Home." Don't you wish you'd been there?? - at the Longacre Theatre, New York

March, 2012. This was the first year a story line was added and it didn't always work. It was all very sincere, but, and I really hate to say this, a bit like preaching to the choir. Having said that, my favorites this time around included: the amazing LaChanze's "Go the Distance," the multi-talented Charles Busch's touching "If He Walked Into My Life," Dan Butler and the boys doing a terrifically fun version of "The Boy Friend," Sierra Boggess and Elizabeth Stanley's beautiful "Tonight," Andrew Rannells show-stopping "The Music That Makes Me Dance," Mario Cantone's "What Did I Have That I Don't Have?," the legendary Betty Buckley's "Sweeney Todd" medley, and Shawma Harnic and the ensemble stirring "I Am What I Am." Why aren't there DVDs of these amazing evenings? - at the Hirschfeld Theatre, New York

March, 2013. Broadway Backwards at the Palace! Completely sold-out. Who knew Estelle Parsons could sing? I didn't. And she did a bang-up "September Song." You go, Estelle! More highlights: Jim Brochu and Tony Sheldon and especially Sheldon's wonderful "Be Happy," Judy Kaye and the legendary Anita Gillette, who at 76 (!!) can still sing it to the balconies, enchanting us with "Three Sunny Rooms," Jan Maxwell's "How to Handle a Woman," an amazing pas de deux by Patrick Corbin and David Grenke, Anthony Warlow's sensational "Time Heals Everything," Tituss Burgess and members of the ensemble earning a show-stopping standing ovation with the absolutely breathtakingly thrilling "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (the two Jennifers, take note!), Karen Ziemba and the ladies in "Go Home with Bonnie Jean," a very, very sexy Josh Young and the hot, hot, hot men of the ensemble making Jekyll and Hyde's "Bring on the Men" a temperature-rising sizzler, Brian Stokes Mitchell lending his dulcet tones to "The Man I Love" and Stephanie J. Block and the ensemble with a sing-to-the-rafters "Our Time." Can't wait for next year! - at the Palace Theatre, New York

Until later...