Adam Pascal, Chita Rivera and Andrew Rannells Set For Broadway Backwards 7

Two-time Tony winner Chita Rivera (West Side Story), Tony nominees Adam Pascal (Memphis) and Andrew Rannells (The Book of Mormon), and comedian and Broadway vet Bruce Vilanch (Hairspray) will perform at Broadway Backwards 7. The event will benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights Aids and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York City. Broadway Backwards 7, directed and choreographed by creator Robert Bartley, will take place on March 5 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

The 7th annual celebration of Broadway stars singing songs originally written for the opposite gender will also include performances by Bryan Batt (La Cage aux Folles), Sierra Boggess (Master Class), Mario Cantone (Laugh Whore), Robin De Jesus (La Cage aux Folles), Shawna Hamic (Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Tour) and Telly Leung (Godspell). Additional performers will be announced shortly.

Broadway Backwards gives audience members a chance to experience some of the Great White Way’s most treasured songs in a new context. Keeping the original lyrics in each song intact, women sing about other women and men sing about other men. Last year’s show raised $281,243 for the aforementioned charities.

The creative team includes musical director Mary-Mitchell Campbell, lighting designer Ryan O’Gara, costume designer Philip Heckman and co-choreographers Stephanie Klemmons and Patrick O’Neill.