An initial slate of performers and a theme have been announced for the 2023 edition of Broadway Bares. The 31st annual event will take place on June 18 at the Hammerstein Ballroom as a kickoff to New York City’s Pride Week. Two performances will be held at 9:30 p.m. and midnight.
The 2023 event’s theme is Pleasure Park, which will guide the choreography and creation of the burlesque production numbers. “Broadway Bares” is presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefits the nonprofit’s programs.
Jonathan Burke, 2023 Tony nominee J. Harrison Ghee, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Mykal Kilgore, Marty Thomas and Jessica Vosk are scheduled to perform. In addition, the event is expected to feature nearly 200 dancers.
As previously announced, Laya Barak will direct alongside co-director Kellen Stancil. Jonathan Lee serves as associate director.
In addition to Barak, Stancil and Lee, the newly announced choreographers are John Alix, Mike Baerga, Nicholas Cunningham, Chloe Davis, Armando Farfan Jr., Billy Griffin, Amber Jackson, Monica Kapoor, Bo Park and Michael Lee Scott.
“Broadway Bares” was founded in 1992 by director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who is being honored with the 2023 Isabelle Stevenson Special Tony Award for his service to the industry and contributions to Broadway Cares through the fundraiser. Last year’s “Broadway Bares” raised more than $1.9 million for Broadway Cares. Over $21 million has been raised by the event since its inception.
Mitchell and Nick Kenkel, a longtime Bares director and performer, serve as executive producers.
