Lindsay Mendez to Participate in One-Night-Only Special Event “Broadway’s Leading Ladies”

Lindsay Mendez is leading a special charge on Broadway

The 43-year-old half-Mexican American Tony Award-winning actress and singer will be among the featured stars in the upcoming one-night-only special event, Broadway’s Leading Ladies, set for New York City’s Town Hall on March 10.

The event will be broadcast on PBS later this year.

Mendez, who most recently starred in Merrily We Roll Along, joins a roster of leading ladies of The Great White Way that includes LaChanze, Kate Baldwin, Jennifer Holliday, Judy Kuhn, Jessie Mueller and Death Becomes Her star Jennifer Simard.

Additional all-star casting to be announced soon.

PBS, in partnership with No Guarantees and Nouveau Productions, said the performers were chosen in part for “unique contributions [that] have energized and defined the Broadway we know today.”

The leading ladies will be joined by members of the American Pops Orchestra, conducted by Luke Frazier, whose PBS credits include Wicked in Concert and Broadway’s Leading Men.

Frazier and the American Pops Orchestra last appeared at Town Hall in the critically acclaimed musical tribute to Edith Piaf.

A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit the Women’s Health Initiative at the Entertainment Community Fund, founded by cancer survivor and Fund board member Phyllis Newman.

Broadway’s Leading Ladies is a celebration of the profound influence and enduring legacy women have made in theater,” said Christine Schwarzman, President of No Guarantees, the production company partnering with PBS and Nouveau Productions on the event. “The Broadway leading lady is a timeless and cherished tradition, from the legendary Ethel Merman to the many remarkable women who grace the stage today.”

Broadway’s Leading Men aired on PBS in November and included performances by Something Rotten!‘s Christian BorleAladdin’s Jacob GutierrezHamilton‘s Christopher JacksonGlee‘s Matthew Morrison, and Hadestown’s André De Shields, among others.

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.