broadway on broadway

"Broadway on Broadway," the annual concert celebrating the new theatre season, was held in Times Square Sept 16. Lance Bass, the former *NSYNC star who is currently making his Broadway debut as Corny Collins in the Tony-winning musical Hairspray, hosted the free event.

"It is an honor to be hosting this year's 'Broadway on Broadway,'" Bass said in a recent statement. "I love this great city, its people, and the Broadway fans ?from New York, and around the world. I am both proud and excited to be part of this great event."

The free concert featured performances by Lea Salonga, Chazz Palminteri, Sierra Boggess, Debra Monk, Laura Osnes, Max Crumm, Adriane Lenox, Julia Murney, Beth Leavel, Carolee Carmello, Ashley Brown, Gavin Lee and Orfeh as well as 200 other Broadway actors from such productions as Avenue Q, Chicago, A Chorus Line, The Color Purple, Curtains, The Drowsy Chaperone, Grease, Hairspray, Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Les Mis�ables, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Monty Python� Spamalot, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, The Little Mermaid, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Wicked.

Over 50,000 fans were expected to enjoy the concert that was presented by The League of American Theatres and Producers and the Times Square Alliance.

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At Left (from top): Charlotte St. Martin, Lance Bass and Tim Tompkins; Lea Salonga; Paige Price and Orfeh; Max Crumm; Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee; Carolee Carmello; Darlene Love and Adriane Lenox; Julia Murney; Tim Martin Gleason and Jennifer Hope Wills; and Marin Mazzie.

Below: Howie Michael Smith and David Benoit of Avenue Q at the 2007 "Broadway on Broadway" concert.

photos by Aubrey Reuben


"I had really fought the audition. I live in San Francisco, but I was in L.A. and there was a nor'easter going on in New York, so I was stuck in the airport for 10 hours. I thought, "I'm just gonna go home and forget it," and I almost did. But instead I went and got a copy of the Rent movie and spent the entire time studying it.

I didn't understand "Without You" or "Out Tonight." It had been almost eight years since I had seen the show, and I couldn't put into context what the deal was with "Without You" and why she was howling in "Out Tonight." I just didn't get it. But I watched the movie, and everything made sense. I was like, "Okay, 'Out Tonight' is a performance piece, she's at a strip club, she's doing her thing. Got it

I am so thankful for that nor'easter, because otherwise I wouldn't be here! It's like one of those God things, where he's like, "No, no, no, you're gonna stay put." I'm glad I was listening!"
MyFoxNY.com --
Psst! There's a way to catch part of a Broadway show for free! But you probably won't get a comfy seat.

On Sunday, stars and the people who love them packed the Theater District for a free concert to kick off the 2007-2008 Broadway season.

The 16th annual extravaganza was emceed in part by "Good Day New York" co-host Ron Corning and "The Morning Show's" Juliet Huddy.. "Hairspray" star Lance Bass joined them.

Thousands watched the casts of "Avenue Q," "Mary Poppins," "The Lion King," "A Chorus Line" and many more shows.