Photos: Go Backstage at Broadway Backwards 2026 With Bernadette Peters, Leslie Uggams, More

The 20th annual Broadway Backwards benefit concert, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community via new twists on songs in the musical theatre canon, raised a record-breaking $1,223,681 at Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre March 23.

The Broadway Cares-produced evening, which transformed beloved songs from the Broadway canon into bold, queer anthems that celebrate love, identity, and community, benefited Broadway Cares and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) in New York City.

Go backstage at the one-night-only event in the exclusive photos from Michael Kushner below.

In honor of its 20th anniversary, the evening revisited some of the most buzzed-about numbers from the past two decades alongside new twists on iconic songs.

Among the highlights: Jennifer Holliday's “I Am What I Am” from La Cage aux Folles; Bradley Dean's “Be Italian” from Nine, which also featured Fred Berman, Sam Faulkner, and Janelle Farias Sando; Hannah Cruz's rendition of The Last Five Years’ “Nobody Needs to Know"; Lauren Patten and host Colella's revival of their 2022 performance of “The Next Ten Minutes” from The Last Five Years; Kate Baldwin's delivery of “When I’m Not Near the Girl I Love” from Finian’s Rainbow; TikTok sensation Dylan Mulvaney's performance of “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music; “One Day More” from Les Misérables, featuring Bobby Conte, Bradley Dean, Felicia Finley, Jeigh Madjus, John-Andrew Morrison, Wren Rivera, Alexandra Silber, and Carson Stewart; Robyn Hurder's “All I Need Is the Girl” from Gypsy, also featuring Alexandra Silber; Andrew Rannells' “If He Walked Into My Life” from Mame; Cady Huffman leading “All I Care About” from Chicago; Andrew Keenan-Bolger reviving his 2014 take on “The History of Wrong Guys” from Kinky Boots; Bryan Terrell Clark and Michael McElroy revisiting their 2019 performance of The Color Purple’s “What About Love”; Len Cariou's rendition of “The Party’s Over” from Bells Are Ringing; Nancy Dussault, celebrating her 90th birthday, with a performance of “This Nearly Was Mine” from South Pacific; and Lea DeLaria's jazz-infused take on Bobby Darin’s “Mack the Knife.”

Video: Get a Sneak Peek at Broadway Backwards 2026 With Les Misérables' 'One Day More'

The evening concluded with Tony winner Bernadette Peters (Annie Get Your Gun, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park With George) and Tony and Emmy winner Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah, Baby!; King Hedley II) joining forces on Stephen Sondheim’s “Not While I’m Around” from Sweeney Todd. The two Broadway stars were joined by the Tony-honored Broadway Inspirational Voices.

Also taking part were special guest Javier Muñoz (Hamilton) plus dancers Aaron Patrick Craven, Aydin Eyikan, Roberto Facchin, Jaquez, Kolton Krouse, and Mitch Tobin.

In all, the concert boasted a cast of more than 100 performers, including Broadway favorites, rising stars, an ensemble, and a live orchestra.

Creator Robert Bartley returned to direct and choreograph the show with Ted Arthur and Mary-Mitchell Campbell as music supervisors, joined by Steven Cuevas as musical director. Colby Q. Lindeman joined as associate choreographer, with Amanda LaMotte as co-choreographer and Adam Roberts returned as choreographer and associate director. ARC’s Mark Brandon and Jarrett Reiche were the casting consultants.

The evening also had sound design by Josh Maszle and Marie Renee Foucher, lighting design by Jeff Croiter and Colleen Doherty, and prop design by Jenna Snyder and Alexander Wylie. Costume designers included Kitty Cassetti, Jess Gersz, Alex Rocky, and Tyler Carlton "T.C." Williams.

"We first presented Broadway Backwards at the LGBT Center in 2006, and I’ve had the joy of watching it grow with hundreds of unforgettable performances across these past 20 years," said Danny Whitman, executive director of Broadway Cares, in an earlier statement. "This year, these stories matter more than ever. With LGBTQ+ funding at risk and threats rising, Broadway Backwards supports queer communities here in New York through The Center and across the country through Broadway Cares—turning celebration into real, lifesaving impact.

“Broadway Backwards holds a special place in our hearts. Over the past two decades, we’ve seen this unique production grow into a joyful celebration of LGBTQ+ creativity, community and pride,” added Dr. Carla Smith, CEO of The Center. We are deeply grateful for our longtime partnership with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and for the artists and audiences who make this night so meaningful. HIV and AIDS prevention and support are core to our mission, and this fundraiser helps us continue turning joy into impact, ensuring LGBTQ+ New Yorkers have access to the services they need to live successful and healthy lives."

What began as a small, grassroots concert performed at The Center in 2006 quickly grew into a highly anticipated event presented on Broadway. Last year’s edition raised a record-breaking $1,111,788. In its 20 editions, Broadway Backwards has raised more than $10.9 million for Broadway Cares and The Center.

Broadway Cares is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 Broadway Cares has awarded more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Visit BroadwayCares.org.