On February 7, 2011, Clay Aiken participated in the 6th edition of BROADWAY BACKWARDS. Held at the beautiful Longacre Theatre, the show was filled with an all-star cast that included Tony Award winners Hinton Battle, Len Cariou, Alan Cumming, Debra Monk, Bebe Neuwirth, Denis O’Hare, Karen Olivo and Lillias White, Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham and American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken.
BROADWAY BACKWARDS is an amazing benefit concert for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York. In 2011, the concert raised a record-breaking $281,243 for the two organizations.
According to the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids website:
BROADWAY BACKWARDS reinterprets the songs of musical theater by featuring women singing songs originally written for men and men singing songs written for women. By keeping the lyrics intact, including the pronouns, each song takes on an entirely new dimension. It’s Broadway in a whole new key.
I remember the benefit concert very well. I was lucky enough to be at the event and see and hear all the excitement of the night.
The obvious highlight for this Clay Aiken fan was seeing Clay shine on the Broadway stage as he performed “Home” from The Wiz. He started quietly and slowly built to a powerful climax. He sang from his heart and the audience was moved by his outstanding performance. As the applause continued, Clay returned to the stage for a second bow. Appropriately, Clay seemed right at “Home” on the Broadway stage.
I am so glad that I was able to attend this wonderful sold-out concert. It was a special evening that I will never forget.
I hope you take a moment and watch the following video of the wonderful performance by Clay Aiken. It is outstanding.
Do you want to see Clay return to Broadway some time?
Amazing! How our Clay can put so much emotion into his performances. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for the pictures and the video. The song Home from the Wiz is one of my favorite songs from Broadway. The song is beautiful and Clay voice is perfect. I have not seen Clay on Broadway. I believe Clay should return to Broadway. Thank you CANN.
Someday when the lights are lit on Broadway again, I hope that we can see Clay's name up the the marquee. Until then, I'll listen to his podcast "How the Heck Are We Going to Get Along?" and sign into CANN daily.
Yes, I would love to see him on Broadway again. He can sing Broadway tunes or Pop. He can sing any genre, not too many singers can do that. I noticed as I was listening to the NAT on you tube last evening. It was the emotion he put in his words, not only that, the perfect pitch. This song Home so perfect.
Thanks!! Haven’t heard that song in quite a while!!