Arts & Entertainment
Broadway stars record song to benefit Orlando LGBT community
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rosie O’Donnell and more to participate
(Screenshot via YouTube)
Scores of Broadway stars will record a new version of the 1965 song “What the World Needs Now is Love,” originally sung by Jackie DeShannon, with proceeds going to the LGBT Center of Central Florida.
People magazine reports SiriusXM Radio host Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley, organized the recording which was inspired by the We Are the World benefit recording for Africa in 1985.
“The Broadway community was so terribly shaken and devastated by the horrific tragedy in Orlando. Everyone wanted to do something as quickly as possible that would truly make a difference,” Rudetsky said in a press release.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Sara Bareilles, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Kristen Bell, Joel Grey, Sean Hayes, Gloria Estefan, Carole King, Rosie O’Donnell, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nathan Lane, Fran Drescher, Sutton Foster, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Rosie Perez, Billy Porter, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, Alice Ripley, Tommy Tune, BD Wong, Whoopi Goldberg and more will sing on the track.
Pre-order purchase for the song is $1.99 on BroadwayRecords.com and will be available for download on Monday, June 20.
The DC Black Pride Opening Reception was held at the Westin DC Downtown on Friday, May 22. Grammy Award-winning artist Durand Bernarr was the headline performer. Comedian Anthony Oakes was the host. Speakers included Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson and Center For Black Equity President Kenya Hutton, as well as speakers from health organizations and sponsors. The event featured performances from Billy the Goat, Jay Columbus, Akeem Woods, Rue Pratt, Be Steadwell and Bennu Byrd.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Photos
PHOTOS: Black Pride Pageant and Unity Ball
Back-to-back events held on first night of D.C. Black Pride
The Mr. and Miss DC Black Pride Pageant was held at the Westin DC Downtown on Thursday, May 21. Following the pageant, Black Pride events continued with the 10th annual DC Black Pride Unity Ball.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
D.C.-area productions honored at Theatre Washington’s annual ceremony
Theatre Washington’s 42nd Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 18.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
PHOTOS: Black Pride Opening Reception
PHOTOS: Black Pride Pageant and Unity Ball
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
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