Broadway's best raise over $1 million for LGBTQ+ and HIV causes

Million dollar night!

Since its founding in 1988, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised over $300 million to provide essential services for people living with HIV and other critical illnesses across the U.S. The organization has become known as the philanthropic heart of Broadway and is still one of the nation’s leading HIV and AIDS related nonprofits.

Broadway Backwards began as a small grassroots concert in 2006 and has since raised nearly $9 million for Broadway Cares, which directly benefits NYC’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center). This year's show raised a record-shattering $1,111,788 — a nice victory in the face of the Trump administration's extreme cuts to funding and essential programs for LGBTQ+ people and those affected by HIV and AIDS.

This beloved fundraiser returned to the stage March 10 with a starstudded cast of Broadway legends as well as talented newcomers. SNL alum and Once Upon a Mattress star Ana Gasteyer performed, along with event regular and Broadway staple Tituss Burgess (currently playing the titular role of Mary Todd Lincoln in Cole Escola's hit stage comedy Oh, Mary! through April 6).

Other special guests included Adam Lambert (Cabaret), Len Cariou (the original Sweeney Todd), Bradley Dean (Redwood), Dionne Figgins (A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical), Joshua Henry (Into the Woods), Remi Tuckman (Drag: The Musical), and the Grammy Award-nominated choir Broadway Inspirational Voices, among many others.

Longtime corporate partners City National Bank, The New York Times, and United Airlines returned as lead sponsors, as well as Tony Award nominee Jenn Colella as the event’s host.

Scroll on to see some fun and fabulous photos from this year'sevent...

Adam Lambert

Grammy Award-nominated entertainer Adam Lambert (Cabaret) unleashed powerhouse vocals and a rock-and-roll edge in an electrifying take on 'Acid Queen' from The Who’s Tommy.

Nikki Renée Daniels

Nikki Renée Daniels, who starred alongside Ana Gasteyer in Once Upon a Mattress, treated the audience to a charmingly coquettish spin on 'Ilona" from She Loves Me.

Preston Perez, Manu Narayan, Kate Tsuruharatani

LEFT TO RIGHT: Kate Tsuruharatani (Jagged Little Pill), Manu Narayan (Company), Preston Perez (A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond Musical), and ensemble perform a moving scene set to Miss Saigon’s haunting 'Movie in My Mind.'

Darren Criss

Emmy winner Darren Criss (Maybe Happy Ending) made a special appearance to stress the importance of supporting the lifesaving work of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Center.

Bradley Dean, Barrett Foa

Bradley Dean (of Redwood, on left) and Barrett Foa (of TV’s NCIS: Los Angeles, on right) took doctor-patient roleplay to risqué new heights during a fun performance of 'Bad Idea' from Waitress.

Jenn Colella

Jenn Colella (Come From Away) served as master of ceremonies at this year's joyousevent.