Broadway Inspirational Voices Plans Star-Studded Fundraiser

The Broadway Inspirational Voices, founded in 1994 by Rent alum Michael McElroy, will hold a benefit concert on October 12 at Rootstein Display Mannequins on West 19th Street. Dubbed “A Closer Look: An Evening with BIV and Friends,” the fundraising event will be hosted by Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell.

Performers who have signed on include Jeanette Bayardelle (The Color Purple), Shoshana Bean (Hairspray), The Broadway Boys, Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza), Michael Cerveris (Sweeney Todd), Marva Hicks (Caroline, or Change), Nathan Lee Graham (The Wild Party), Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid), Norm Lewis (The Little Mermaid), Crystal Monee Hall (Rent), Eliseo Roman (In the Heights), Chester Gregory (Hairspray) and Lisa Lynne Mathis, with Joseph Joubert (Billy Elliot) on the piano and Broadway Inspirational Voices.

According to McElroy, the nonprofit BIV (originally known as the Broadway Gospel Choir) is developing outreach programs in line with its mission of bringing people of all races and religious backgrounds together to explore traditional American musical art forms with an emphasis on Gospel. “Our aim is to go into inner-city schools or work with organizations who target high-risk schools and develop music born out of conversations with the kids,” the actor tells Broadway.com. “We would do five-week intensives that would culminate in a concert for friends and families.

For more information on BIV and the October 12 event, go to www.broadwayinspirationalvoices.com.