Jay Armstrong Johnson’s I Put a Spell on You: ALiiVE at Webster Hall raises over 230k for The Ali Forney Center
Missed it? Want to see it again? Stream this weekend on Broadway On Demand
New York, NY (October 22, 2024) — Jay Armstrong Johnson’s annual Halloween concert-meets-party I Put a Spell on You: ALiiVE at Webster Hall benefiting the Ali Forney Center (AFC), a full-service organization protecting LGBTQ+ youth from the harms of homelessness, played to a packed standing-room-only crowd last night, October 21, and now audiences can stream it on Broadway on Demand Halloween weekend, beginning at 8 pm Eastern on Sunday, October 27, 2024 and available until October 31. Tickets for Broadway on Demand are $35 and available at https://www.broadwayondemand.com/events/i-put-a-spell-on-you
Currently, the event has raised over 230k for the Ali Forney Center and is still fundraising through the stream and the Spook-a-thon.
In the search to find beauty, youth, and immortality, the bewitching and beloved Sanderson Sisters return from the dead and gather their most famous friends to help them lure the children of New York to Webster Hall.
Johnson leads the charge as the bewitching and hilarious Winifred Sanderson with Allison Godleski casting a mesmerizing charm as the ditzy yet irresistible Sarah Sanderson. Amanda Williams Ware delivers comedic gold as the lovable Mary Sanderson, completing the wickedly fun trio. Expect visits from famous villains who perform with larger-than-life voices and choreography, over-the-top costumes and makeup, unmatched production value, and a healthy dose of Broadway magic with a cast that includes Tony Award-winner J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot) , Tony Award-nominee Robyn Hurder (Moulin Rouge, Chicago), Todrick Hall (Kinky Boots, Straight Outta Oz), Stephen Brower (Lempicka), Yeman Brown (Queen of Versailles), Max Clayton (Music Man), Karli Dinardo (Hamilton, Moulin Rouge!), Nick Gaga, Domanick Hubbard (Nat’l Tours:Jesus Christ Superstar, Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), F Michael Haynie (The Heart of Rock and Roll, Wicked), Jonte' Moaning (choreographer The Beyoncé Experience, Kimmi Moore, Jake Pedersen (Wicked, Parade), Heath Saunders (Great Comet of 1812, Company), Trent Saunders (Hadestown, Aladdin), and Emma Sofia (CATS: The Jellicle Ball). Plus Karma Jenkins (The Time Traveler’s Wife) brings heart and spunk as Dani Dennison, with Maddox Martin and Kathryn Priest portraying the courageous Max and Allison.
The incredible cast of I Put a Spell on You will be accompanied by an equally stunning lineup of dancers who promise to deliver a mesmerizing performance, featuring a diverse and talented ensemble. This ensemble includes Eli Alfau, Laura Aronoff, Claire Avakian, Annelise Baker, Scott Bebell, Keely Beirne, Jordan Berkman, Antonio Beverly, Noah Blessings, Josh Bordman, Rhagan Carter, Thea Celey, Aria Christina Evans, Emma Cook, Kaylee DaCosta, Taylor Daniels, Maria DeSario, Briana Doran, Ava Esposito, Annie Gagen, Cassandra Gauthier, Jules Geiss, Jada German, Cam Gradel, Logan Gray Saad, Rachel Grinde, Anna Aliau Guerra, Niara Hardister, Chance Hoover, Rachel Hull, Abbey Hunt, Gabe Hyman, Brittany Jenkins, Dainique Jones, Leah Joy Faircloth, Rachel Kay, Erin Kei, Maya Kitayama, Michal Kolaczkowski, Camryn Kopetic, Matthew Liotine, James Little Jr., Giuseppe Little, Sam Lobel, Delaney Love, Hector Maisonet, Sarah Mary Grace Thackery, Minju Michelle Lee, Alex Mitchell, Bella Mittenthal, Justin Mock, Mamiko Nakatsugawa, Nick Nazzaro, Antoine Neal, David Nick Alea, Kay Noelle, Fred Odgaard, Yurika Ono, Alex Osorio, Hugo Pizano, Chloe Rae Kehm, Luca Rapisarda, Ellie Reid, Jeremey Adam Rey, Gabriel Reyes, Jonathan Reyes, Devin Richey, Kristin Roa, Sarah Rose, Aliya Rose, Bridget Rose Quinn, Grace Marie Rusnica, Ian Saunders, Nygel Sejismundo, Drew Shoemaker, Jamal Shuriah, Omari Simmons, Sissa Strain, Yasmyn Sumiyoshi, Jack Taylor, Christopher Tipps, Emily Ulrich, Raquel Umbarila, Danny Venini, Ahren Victory, Julian Wicks, Evor Wright, Crystal Renée Wright, David Wright Jr., Yepez, and Cole Zieser. Their energy and artistry will add an enchanting dimension to this magical production!
I Put A Spell On You: ALiiVE at Webster Hall is executive produced by Jay Armstrong Johnson, conceived by Johnson and Heath Saunders, and written by Johnson, Saunders with additional material from Natalie Hinds, Stephen Brower, and Jackson Teeley. It is produced by Katie Rosin, Kampfire Films, general managed by Andy Jones, Baseline Theatrical, production management by Sean Gorski, Hudson Theatrical Associates. The executive producer committee includes Sean Cocchia, Todd Donovan, Andy Jones, and Tom Schumacher. The creative team is led by director Heath Saunders, creative director and costume designer DW, music supervisor Jackson Teely, music consultant Will Van Dyke, music producers Lloyd Kikoler, Conor Keelan, Mike Pacifico, assistant director Sydnie Roy, supervising choreographer Michael Anthony Sylvester, associate supervising choreographer Kristopher Stanley Ward, assistant choreographer Tori Carboni, makeup designer Kyle Krueger, creative advisor Ahmad Simmons, and event consultant Whitney Britt/Two Dog Circus.
The performance features choreography by Mike Baerga, Hope Melody Easterbrook, Tyler Eisenreich, Eamon Foley, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Reed Luplau, Leo Moctezuma, Jenny Oehlwein, Julius Rubio, Kellen Stancil, Theresa Stone, Michael Anthony Sylvester, Chaz Wolcott and David Wright Jr.
The creative team includes costume design and art direction by DW, wardrobe supervision by Norah Fischer, and costume designers include Taylor Barnett, Kelsey Buerger, Antonio Consuegra, Thomas Gleudenis, Brian Hemesath, Sarah Marie Dixey, Beck Jones, Cameron Choi Loeb. SFX makeup lead is Christina Vida Roldos, wigs designed by Bobby Clifton Zlotnik, Katie Beaty, props designed by Andy Diaz, video design by Brian Pacelli with additional video design by Cooper Adams, Taylor Gordon, Jamie Kiliany, Joey Moro, Brad Peterson, Ryan Shreve, Catriona Rubenis-Stevens, Juniper Stuart, Ann Slote, Brian Staton, Claire Talbott, sound design by Josh Liebert, lighting design by Andrew Garvis, house photography by Thomas Mundell and Shawn Salley. The stage management team includes Lucy Houlihan, Ashton Pickering, Tiffanie Lane, Celina Revollar, Donna Reinhold and Kristina Vook. The video team is helmed by Jake Primmerman with Haven Houston. Joe Hornberger and David Wright Jr. are assistants to Jay Armstrong Johnson, the social media team includes Tessie Tokash and Joe Hornberger,and additional producer assistants include Emily Ballou, Zack Maluccio and Eli Tokash.
Sponsors include Abracadabra, Alcone, Boss Molly Bourbon, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Costume Studio, DIG, Lesser Evil, Matthew Murphy/Murphy Made, New York Live Arts, Open Jar Studios, Pearl Studios, Schmackary's, Union Square Events, and Vita Coco.
Stream I Put A Spell On You: ALiiVE at Webster Hall on Broadway on Demand Halloween weekend, beginning at 8 pm Eastern on Sunday, October 27, 2024 and available until October 31. Tickets for Broadway on Demand are $35 and available at https://www.broadwayondemand.com/events/i-put-a-spell-on-you
Show Photos:
Step and Repeat Photos:
Video clips are forthcoming.
Download photos and videos from past performances here
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The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to protecting LGBTQ youth from the harms of homelessness. Each year AFC sees over 2,200 young people who are kicked out of their homes due to homophobia and transphobia. 90% of the young people we see state religious beliefs as the leading cause of their homelessness. A Staggering 95% of their clients are individuals of color largely comprised of Black and Latino communities. Nearly half of these young people come to NYC from across the country, mainly the south, fleeing homophobic homes, and communities. Due to the current political climate, they have experienced a 20% increase in the number of youth fleeing their homes from these states.
AFC’s programs are designed to help young people overcome the traumas of homelessness and family rejection through medical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment. Simultaneously, homeless youth are placed in one of 19-site-scattered housing programs, including the Bea Arthur Residence, which opened its doors in 2018 in memory of one of their first celebrity supporters.
Once stabilized, housed, and engaged in therapeutic care AFC engages young people in specially developed career and educational services designed to facilitate the completion of high school, and move on to higher education, and credentialing programs. These services also include career placement and skills development through onsite programs and job readiness.
As the largest and longest-running agency doing this work, AFC supports smaller organizations and groups of activists that aim to support similar populations. Through capacity building and conferences, the agency has expanded its reach across the United States and throughout the world. www.AliForneyCenter.org
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