Tony Award winner Alex Newell took the audience “Back to Before” with a showstopping, standingovationinducing spin on the hit from Ragtime, bringing their singular vocals to the everpoignant words “you were my sky, my moon and my stars and my ocean/we can never go back to before.”

Broadway Backwards was directed, written and choregraphed by Robert Bartley, Backwards' creator.

A brilliant string of 11o’clock numbers, standing ovations and LGBTQ+ joy reverberated through the historic walls at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre on March 11, 2024, when Tony Award winners, Broadway legends and newcomers alike spectacularly shared LGBTQ+ stories through show tunes at Broadway Backwards.

The show raised a record $917,651 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) in New York City. The onenightonly, annual event is produced by Broadway Cares.

The elevated evening of love, community and unparalleled performances is the only annual Broadway event custommade for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. By taking familiar songs in the Broadway canon and transforming them into queer anthems, lighthearted romps and emotional ballads, Broadway Backwards tells stories that deserve to be told onstage. #BroadwayBackwards

"Back to Before"
: Bardo Arts Productions
Directed by Robert Bartley
Orchestrated by Ben Krauss
Music Direction, Arranged & Conducted by Ted Arthur
Hair Design by Monique Gaffney
Makeup Design by Kelly Bellevue

Broadway Backwards
Directed, Written and Choreographed by Robert Bartley
Producers: Jeff Brancato, Scott T. Stevens and Danny Whitman
Music Supervisors: Ted Arthur and MaryMitchell Campbell
Music Director: Michael Gacetta
Associate Music Directors: Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders
Choreographers and Associate Directors: Skye Mattox and Adam Roberts
Production Stage Manager: E Sara Barnes
Casting Consultants: Mark Brandon, CSA, and Jarrett Reiche from Casting by ARC
Lighting Design: Carolyn Wong
Sound Design: Maria Renee Foucher
Prop Design: Jenna Snyder and Alexander Wylie
Costume Designers: Kitty Cassetti, Jess Gersz, Vanessa Leuck, Natalie Loveland, Tyler Carlton Williams and Nicole Zausmer
Hair Design: Ian Joseph
Makeup Design: Megan Burke