Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway Highlights

Theater’s beloved names and brightest stars joined a sold-out audience in honoring Broadway’s most fantastical anniversary at Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway. The sparkling silver anniversary event on November 4, 2019, raised an astounding $570,426 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway, presented at the New Amsterdam Theatre, featured a cast of 79 performers and a 15-piece onstage orchestra. The show opened with a joyous traditional South African welcome blessing led by The Lion King cast members and closed with a roof-raising rendition of “Let It Go” from Frozen performed by the evening’s entire cast.

Broadway’s original Mary Poppins Ashley Brown shared with the audience that since Disney on Broadway launched in 1993 with Beauty and the Beast, its 10 hit Broadway and national touring shows have raised more than $18 million for Broadway Cares.

Whoopi Goldberg ushered in the evening after the percussive opening welcome by Lindiwe Dlamini, Bongi Duma, Tshidi Manye and Sbusiso Ngema.

18 Newsies from the show’s Broadway and national touring productions joined forces for an exuberant reunion performance of “King of New York,” featuring a guest appearance from Ashley Park. Christopher Gattelli’s classic choreography dazzled as the newsboys filled the stage.

Christian Borle (Little Shop of Horrors, Mary Poppins) and Brown captured the whimsy and wonder of Mary Poppins in a delightful medley.

James Monroe Iglehart asked the audience for three suggestions as to what Disney means to them, getting “love,” “hope” and “fantastic.” The Freestyle Love Supreme special guest then wove those words into an improvised rap about Disney’s history on Broadway.

Original Aida castmates Adam Pascal and Sherie Rene Scott delivered a rock and roll flair to the romantic titular song in Beauty and the Beast.

The recent Public Works production of Hercules was highlighted in a breathtaking trio version of “Go The Distance” performed by Jelani Alladin, Bradley Gibson and Alton Fitzgerald White. The muses, Ramona Keller, Tamika Lawrence, Kissy Simmons, Rema Webb and Syndee Winters, brought the house down with a show-stopping act one finale of “Zero to Hero,” backed by Broadway Inspirational Voices. The muses returned with Susan Egan and Krysta Rodriguez to perform the sassy fan favorite “I Won’t Say I’m in Love.".

Additional group numbers included “Friend Like Me” led by Michael James Scott and backed by Lauryn Ciardullo, April Holloway, Nina LaFarga and Katie Terza and “My Strongest Suit" performed by Mandy Gonzalez. Andrew Barth Feldman performed “She’s in Love,” joined by the women on backup vocals.

A very pregnant Kara Lindsay gave new meaning to Beauty and the Beast’s “Change in Me." Josh Strickland shared a rousing rendition of “Santa Fe” from Newsies, transporting the audience to the fresh air and openness of the storied city. Kerry Butler offered an endearing and ethereal take on The Little Mermaid’s classic “Part of Your World.”

The signature sonorous voice of Norm Lewis gave depth to the devastatingly beautiful “If I Can’t Love Her” from Beauty and the Beast. Dreaming of existing beyond the walls of Notre Dame, Gavin Creel shared the heart and hope of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in “Out There.” The warm, inviting vocals of Adam Jacobs enveloped the audience in his performance of Aladdin’s “Proud of Your Boy.”

Brown comedically navigated the anxieties of motherhood, emerging with confidence in “No More Fear” from Freaky Friday. She also returned to her Mary Poppins roots with a performance of “Feed the Birds.” Merle Dandridge shared a rousing rendition of “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan. Sierra Boggess’ impressive vocals lent themselves to a rendition of “Never Again” from King David.

The show’s penultimate moment was “The Gods Love Nubia” from Aida, led by Marisha Wallace and backed by Winters and Broadway Inspirational Voices, followed by a full company “Let it Go” from Frozen.

Casey Hushion directed the evening. Jeff Lee and Viola served as executive producers. James Abbott was the music director and created the revised orchestrations. Jason Trubitt served as Disney’s production supervisor. Howard Joines was the orchestra coordinator. The creative team included lighting designer Ryan J. O’Gara and sound designers Kurt Fischer and Marie Renee Foucher.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the philanthropic heart of Broadway, helping ensure those affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other life-threatening illnesses nationwide receive medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency assistance. Broadway Cares is the major financial supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, helping everyone in entertainment and the performing arts. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. broadwaycares.org

Видео Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway Highlights канала Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS