Broadway Backwards 2017: Josh Groban, Cynthia Erivo & Other Singers Raise $522,870 For BC/EFA

Broadway Backwards 2017 raised a record-breaking $522,870 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) and the LGBT Community Center in New York City. The twelfth annual event featured performances from some of Broadway's stars like Josh Groban, Cynthia Erivo, Santino Fontana, Sierra Boggess, and more.

Last March 13, several Broadway personalities performed to raise funds for the BC/EFA and the LGBT Community Center. The Broadway Backwards 2017 event was held at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, which saw several power musical numbers. Josh Groban, who stars in the Broadway production, "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812", sang "Someone Else's Story" from the musical, "Chess".

Billboard reported that Santino Fontana, who voiced Hans in Disney's "Frozen", aptly sang "Let It Go" during the Broadway Backwards 2017 event. Broadway's "The Little Mermaid" star Sierra Boggess sang "Kiss the Girl" with "Aladdin" performer Katie Terza. Andrew Keenan-Bolger from "Newsies" and Jay Armstrong Johnson from "Quantico" also performed "Sixteen Going on Seventeen".

Andrew Rannells, best known for his "The Book of Mormons" performance, sang "Wherever He Ain't" from "Mack & Mabel". Aside from the nods to the musicals, the Broadway Backwards 2017 performers also talked about socio-political and healthcare issues in the LGBT community. Tony awardee Cynthia Erivo ("The Color Purple") performed a soulful, gospel-infused "Make Them Hear You" from "Ragtime".

The Broadway Backwards 2017 event was hosted by Tony award winner Julie White, who promised the audience, "Tomorrow we will fight, but tonight we're going to sing and dance." According to Broadway World, there were 19 musical numbers, performed with the help of a live 12-piece onstage orchestra.

The event raised $522,870, with the promise for more support in the future. Broadway Backwards 2017 was a small project that began in 2006. Created by Robert Bartley, it has grown into a huge event meant to commemorate, celebrate, and support those with AIDS and the LGBT community. More than $2.9 million has been raised for Broadway Cares since its foundation.