Eden Espinosa to Take Part in Broadway Cares’ “Broadway Does Mother’s Day” Digital Fundraising Special

Eden Espinosais celebrating mothers everywhere…

The 42-year-old Mexican American actress and Broadway star, best known for her performances as Elphaba for the Broadway, Los Angeles, and San Francisco productions of the musical Wickedwill take part in Sunday’s Broadway Does Mother’s Day, a digital variety benefitting Broadway Cares’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund.

Eden Espinosa

Cast members from Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The MusicalJagged Little PillCompany,Tina: The Tina Turner MusicalChicagoDianaMean GirlsGirl from the North CountrySixandMrs. Doubtfirewill take part. 

The show is designed to replace some of the money usually raised by Broadway’s annual Easter Bonnet Competition, an event that was canceled this year due to the coronaviruspandemic.

The digital sketch show will include Broadway stars, their children and their mothers, with musical numbers, comedy and special guests planned. 

In addition to Espinosa, scheduled guests so far includeJill AbramovitzKate BaldwinJenni BarberLaura Benanti,Betty BuckleyCarolee CarmelloVictoria ClarkChuck CooperClaybourne ElderBeanie FeldsteinHarvey FiersteinIn The Heights’ Mandy GonzalezCelia Rose GoodingMolly GriggsJames Monroe IglehartJudy KayeCelia Keenan-BolgerRaymond J. LeeLesli MargheritaEllyn Marie MarshAlexis MichelleVanessa WilliamsBetsy Wolfeand LaChanze.

Sketches from Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Jagged Little Pill, Company, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Chicago, Diana, Mean Girls, Girl from the North Country, Six, andMrs. Doubtfire will also be included.

“We’re delighted to see the theatercommunity come together for Broadway Does Mother’s Day and honored to be a beneficiary of what promises to be such a special show,” said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. “When crises hit, the Broadway community and theatre fans everywhere have always responded with generosity, compassion and action. We launched the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund on behalf of and for those onstage, backstage and behind the scenes who need a helping hand during this pandemic.”

The broadcast will be streamed on Sunday, May 10 at 3:00 pm ET at BroadwayDoesMothersDay.com.

Mateo Melendez to Star in Broadway’s “Beetlejuice” Musical

Mateo Melendez is juicin’up for Broadway…

The Latino actor has been added to the cast of Broadway’s Beetlejuice when the new musical begins previews next month.

Mateo Melendez

Melendez will star alongside last fall’s pre-Broadway cast members Jill AbramovitzKelvin Moon LohDanny Rutigliano and Dana Steingold.

Other cast members include Alex Brightman(in the title role), Sophia Anne CarusoKerry ButlerRob McClureAdam Dannheisserand Leslie Kritzer.

Rounding out the 25-member cast include Tessa AlvesGilbert L. Bailey IIWill BlumJohnny Brantley IIIRyan BreslinNatalie Charle EllisBrooke EngenAbe Goldfarb, Eric Anthony JohnsonElliott MattoxSean Montgomery, Ramone OwensPresley Ryanand Kim Sava.

Beetlejuice starts previews Thursday, March 28 at the Winter Garden Theatre. Opening night is April 25.

Beetlejuice, based on Tim Burton’s 1988 film starring Michael Keaton, is directed by Alex Timbers, with an original score by Eddie Perfect, book by Scott BrownAnthony King, and choreography by Connor Gallagher.

Other credits for the Broadway production include David Korins (scenic design), William Ivey Long (costume design), Kenneth Posner (lighting), Peter Hylenski (sound), Peter Nigrini (projections), Michael Curry(puppet design), Jeremy Chernick(special effects) and Michael Weber(illusions).