By Andrew Gans
25 Jan 2008

Six women from the cast of the Tony-winning musical Spring Awakening have joined the ever-growing roster of artists who will take part in Broadway Backwards III, which is scheduled for Feb. 4 at the American Airlines Theatre.

As previously announced, the annual Broadway Backwards concert — featuring male singers performing songs traditionally sung by women and women singing tunes written for men — will be hosted by The Ritz's Seth Rudetsky and will boast the talents of Kerry Butler, Anthony Rapp, Ann Harada, Julie Halston, Michelle Blakely, Aaron Lazar, Lainie Kazan, Karen Mason, Julia Murney, Liz Callaway, Jen Colella, Tony Yazbeck, Neil Patrick Harris, Gary Beach, Charles Busch, Cheyenne Jackson, Nancy Dussault, Malcolm Gets, Tituss Burgess, David Burtka, Tastiskank (Kate Reinders and Sarah Litzsinger), Len Cariou, Brooks Ashmanskas, Sandy Duncan, Jose Llana and The Little Mermaid's Sierra Boggess.

Newcomers to the evening — a benefit for New York's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Community Center — include Spring Awakening's Lilli Cooper, Lea Michele, Eryn Murman, Phoebe Strole, Jenna Ushkowitz and Remy Zaken. The gals will perform a song from Spring Awakening that honors the evening's gender-bending concept.

Two songs for the fundraising concert have also been announced: Liz Callaway and Julia Murney will duet on Into the Woods' agony, while Gary Beach will belt out Ballroom's "Fifty Percent."

Broadway Backwards creator Robert Bartley will direct the 8 PM benefit concert with musical direction by Mark Janas. A party will be held at the theatre following the performance.

The American Airlines Theatre is located in Manhattan at 227 West 42nd Street. Only $250 orchestra seats remain; they are on sale through theatermania.com. (For $1,500 and $5,000 tickets — includes preferred seating, after party and membership in the Center's Leadership and President's Circle — e-mail Jeffrey Klein at jklein@gaycenter.org.)

For more information visit www.gaycenter.org.