Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin, Hamilton) hosted the second annual Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth concert June 19 in Times Square.
The free 90-minute concert—part of The Broadway League’s Black to Broadway Initiative—featured Black performers and allies performing their own works of art, including songs, dances, and poetry accompanied by live music provided by The Music Performance Trust Fund.
Attendees were treated to appearances by 2022 Tony winner Myles Frost (MJ The Musical), 2022 Tony winner Joaquina Kalukango (Paradise Square), 2022 Tony nominee Jared Grimes (Funny Girl), and Alex Newell (Once On This Island) as well as cast members from The Book of Mormon, Company, Dear Evan Hansen, Funny Girl, The Minutes, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Mr. Saturday Night, Paradise Square, The Phantom of the Opera, and Tina—The Tina Turner Musical. Young actors from current and recent Broadway shows also offered a rendition of “Young, Gifted, and Black."
This year’s event included the inaugural presentation of the Juneteenth Legacy Awards to Tony winners Leslie Uggams and Ben Vereen for their community involvement and achievements on Broadway.
Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League, said in an earlier statement, “We congratulate Leslie Uggams and Ben Vereen as the two inaugural recipients of the Juneteenth Legacy Award honors. They are artists of great caliber who have certainly left their mark on Broadway. As the Broadway community gathers in Times Square to celebrate Juneteenth, we take this opportunity to acknowledge these two dedicated individuals who have shown great commitment to education, philanthropy, and advocacy work on behalf of their communities.”
Steve H. Broadnax III wrote and directed the concert, with music direction by Rashad McPherson. Brian Moreland and Aaliytha Stevens were the executive producers. Foresight Theatrical's Nzinga Williams and Devon Miller were the general managers, and Jhanaë Bonnick was the stage manager.
The goal of Black to Broadway is to inspire deeper engagement with an awareness of, and access to, Broadway for all Black people.
See images from the event below:
Leslie Uggams, Ben Vereen, and Joaquina Kalukango
James Monroe Iglehart, Jared Grimes, and Alex Newell
Young Broadway Actors Performed a Rendition of Young, Gifted and Black
Nick Rashad Burroughs
Alex Newell
Jared Grimes
Attendees of Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth in Times Square
Janinah Burnett
Alex Newell
Myles Frost and young Broadway actors
Leslie Uggams and Ben Vereen
Leslie Uggams and Ben Vereen
Ben Vereen and Leslie Uggams
Ta Nisha Fordham
