Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’
Benefit Stream of Concert
Celebrating 25 Years of Disney on Broadway Canceled
Free Online Event Was Set to Support
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’
The following is are details as provided through their newsletter press release:
COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund,
Helping the Entire Entertainment Community
The free stream of Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway , set for 7 pm Eastern on Monday, April 13, 2020, to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS ’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, has been canceled.
Broadway Cares was unable to reach an agreement with the leadership of the American Federation of Musicians to permit the stream of the previously recorded concert to take place as planned. Disney Theatrical Productions, SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity Association all granted the necessary permissions for the online fundraiser to go forward without additional fees, but, unfortunately, American Federation of Musicians refused to provide the same consideration.
The COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, which is being administered by The Actors Fund, is providing those onstage, backstage, in the orchestra pit and behind the scenes urgent health care and immediate financial support during this pandemic and work shutdown.
As theaters remain dark, entertainment professionals are facing unprecedented health and financial challenges requiring immediate attention and support. Broadway producers have offered a $1 million challenge and are matching every new donation to the fund dollar-for-dollar. Although the stream is canceled, donations can still be made at broadwaycares.org/help2020 .
Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway , presented onstage November 4, 2019, featured a cast of 79 performers and a 15-piece orchestra. The sparkling silver anniversary event at the New Amsterdam Theatre, home to Disney’s smash hit Aladdin , raised $570,426 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS .
Ryan McCartan ( Frozen , TV’s Liv and Maddie ) was set to host a stream of the concert live and planned to interview Disney on Broadway stars throughout the evening. Broadway Cares is especially grateful to McCartan, those who agreed to join the interviews in the live stream, and all participated – onstage and backstage – in the original event last November.
In addition to Broadway Cares, media partners Playbill.com , iHeartRadio Broadway and the sites of iHeartRadio ’s New York City stations, abc7ny.com and the sites of the ABC Owned Television Stations around the country were going to share the stream.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS 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 theater community, since 1988 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and the Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway Cares also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, providing lifesaving medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency assistance.