The 9:30 PM concert featured Kinky Boots Tony Award winner Billy Porter, Tony nominee Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boot), Brandon Victor Dixon (Motown), Tamika Lawrence (Matilda, The Book of Mormon), Mike Wartella (Wicked), Jason Gotay (Bring It On), Randy Blair, Matt Doyle (The Book of Mormon, War Horse), Katie Gassert, Preston Sadleir (Next to Normal), David Josefsberg (The Wedding Singer), Brad Weinstock and Sally Wilfert (Assassins).
The concert promised songs written by Van Dyke in collaboration with Rick Elice and Matt Doyle, selections from his 2010 recording "Chasing the Day: The Music of Will Van Dyke" and tunes from his newest recording "Writing Kevin Taylor."
A concept album set for digital release Oct. 15, Writing Kevin Taylor has music and lyrics by Van Dyke, with book and lyrics by Josh Halloway. Writing Kevin Taylor is described as "a three-person musical comedy about the unlikely friendships and unexpected moments that bring us together. It's a show about how much you can get out of life, when you let someone in."
In anticipation of the concert, featuring tunes from Writing Kevin Taylor — about breaking up and trying to get back together — the cast picked songs to deal with a break-up as part of Playbill.com's Playbill Playlist. "Writing Kevin Taylor," which will be on sale at 54 Below, features Ben Crawford, Lisa Howard and Preston Sadleir and is produced by Derik Lee and Van Dyke. "Writing Kevin Taylor" has arrangements and orchestrations by Van Dyke, with additional orchestrations by August Eriksmoen and Brian Usifer. The band features Alec Berlin (guitar), Steve Gilewsi (bass), Mason Ingram (drums), Allison Seidner (cello), Hiroko Taguchi (violin) and Van Dyke (piano).
Will Van Dyke and Friends was directed by DB Bonds and performed by an eight-piece band led by Van Dyke at the piano.
