Taylor Trensch & Telly Leung “Who Will Love Me As I Am?” – Broadway Backwards 2018

At Broadway Backwards 2018, Telly Leung (Aladdin) and Taylor Trensch (Dear Evan Hansen) transformed Side Show's anthem “Who Will Love Me As I Am?” from a song between sisters to a lovers’ duet. The couple wondered who will love them despite their flaws and insecurities, ultimately finding that love in each other.

"Who Will Love Me as I Am?" by Bill Russell and Henry Krieger
Orchestrated by Conor Keelan
Conducted by Laura Bergquist

Fundraising records and gender norms alike were smashed by stars of stage, screen and pop music on April 2, 2018, at the inclusive, dynamic and loving Broadway Backwards.

The 13th annual edition of the show, which celebrated the LGBTQ community through gender-reversed renditions of beloved showtunes, raised an incredible $680,273 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City. The show was produced by Broadway Cares.

The evening included performances by Tituss Burgess, Len Cariou, Bryan Terrell Clark, Noah Galvin, Gaelen Gilliland, John Glover, Julie Halston, Shawna Hamic, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Telly Leung, Andrea Martin, Andrea McArdle, Michael McElroy, Joey McIntyre, Hayley Mills, Alex Newell, Eric Petersen, Ethan Slater, Q. Smith, Will Swenson, Nico Tortorella, Taylor Trensch, Anneliese van der Pol, Astrid Van Wieren, Sharon Wheatley, Christian Dante White, Betsy Wolfe and Tony Yazbeck.

Broadway Backwards creator Robert Bartley wrote and directed this year’s show. Adam Roberts was associate director. The show featured choreography by Bartley, Roberts, Mimi Quillin and Chaz Wolcott. Mary-Mitchell Campbell served as music supervisor; Laura Bergquist was music director and Christopher D. Littlefield was associate music director. The creative team included lighting designer Jake DeGroot, costume designers Jess Gersz and Vanessa Leuck and sound designer Matt Berman. The production stage manager was Jeff Brancato.

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Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS awards grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. and is the largest single financial supporter of the social service programs of The Actors Fund, helping everyone in entertainment and the performing arts.

Broadway Cares hosts two six-week-long fundraising campaigns in theatres across the country every year, one leading up to the Easter Bonnet Competition in April and the other leading up to the Red Bucket Follies in December. Broadway Cares also produces annual fundraising events in New York City, including Broadway Backwards, Broadway Bares and the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction.

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