Rosie O’Donnell is bringing her talk-show back for a one-night-only special fundraiser to benefit The Actors Fund to help the theater community during the ongoing coronavirus threat. All Broadway theaters are currently dark with April 13 set as the target date for curtains to rise again. The all-star event will be streamed live on March 22 on Broadway.com and YouTube. Daytime fans will recall The Rosie O’Donnell Show was THE afternoon talk show during its six-year run from 1996 to 2002. Along the way, the gabfest scored numerous Emmy Awards, including five Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Show and six for O’Donnell as Outstanding Talk Show Host. An avid fan of musical theater, O’Donnell used her platform to showcase dozens of performances from Broadway productions on the show.
“Everybody who knows me knows that Broadway has been one of the brightest lights in my life since the time I was a little girl,” said O’Donnell in a statement. “It has also been the lifeblood of New York City for generation after generation. After all Broadway has given to the world, now — in this time of tremendous need — it’s our turn to give something back.” “There is no better way to support this community than via The Actors Fund,” she added. “And, with a line-up like this, I dare you not to tune in.” Actor Eric Bergen (Broadway’s Jersey Boys, CBS’ Madame Secretary), who is co-producing the Broadway-palooza with O’Donnell, foreshadowed the event on his Instagram featuring The Rosie O’Donnell Show logo: “Everyone could use a little Rosie in their lives right now don’t ‘cha think?” Bergen followed that up with this message: “I told my friend @rosie that I had an idea. I thought the world needed The Rosie O’Donnell Show back…even for just a night. I’m so thrilled she said yes and that I get to produce this event. Join us Sunday night on @broadwaycom and on YouTube as we raise money for @theactorsfund with the biggest names on Broadway!”
PEOPLE reports the star-studded event will feature performances and appearances from celebrated actors and entertainers including Sarah Jessica Parker, Darren Criss, Gloria Estefan, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Harvey Fierstein, David Foster, Morgan Freeman, Neil Patrick Harris, Megan Hilty, Judith Light, Barry Manilow, Rob McClure, Audra McDonald, Katharine McPhee, Alan Menken, Idina Menzel, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kelli O’Hara, Lauren Patten, Ben Platt, Billy Porter, Randy Rainbow, Andrew Rannells, Chita Rivera, Seth Rudetsky, Miranda Sings, Jordin Sparks, Ben Vereen, Adrienne Warren, James Wesley, Sebastian Arcelus, Skylar Astin, Beth Behrs, Erich Bergen, Nate Berkus, Stephanie J. Block, Matthew Broderick, Tituss Burgess, Norbert Leo Butz, Kristin Chenoweth, Gavin Creel, Lea Salonga, Idina Menzel, and more. And yes, they’ll all appear from the comfort and safety of their own homes! John McDaniel, The Rosie O’Donnell Show‘s original music director and producer, is also slated to return. The big show will stream live on Sunday, March 22 at 7 p.m. ET on Broadway.com and its YouTube channel. To make a tax-deductible donation to The Actors Fund, visit here.
Rosie O’Donnell is bringing her talk-show back for a one-night-only special fundraiser to benefit The Actors Fund to help the theater community during the ongoing coronavirus threat. All Broadway theaters are currently dark with April 13 set as the target date for curtains to rise again. The all-star event will be streamed live on March 22 on Broadway.com and YouTube. Daytime fans will recall The Rosie O’Donnell Show was THE afternoon talk show during its six-year run from 1996 to 2002. Along the way, the gabfest scored numerous Emmy Awards, including five Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Show and six for O’Donnell as Outstanding Talk Show Host. An avid fan of musical theater, O’Donnell used her platform to showcase dozens of performances from Broadway productions on the show.