J. Harrison Ghee, Z Infante 'Impossible' - Broadway Backwards 2022

At Broadway Backwards 2022, J. Harrison Ghee sashayed to Z Infante’s rescue as their fabulous Fairy Godperson in a reimagining of “Impossible” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Infante’s deliciously scornful stepmother was played by Janelle Farias Sando, who slights and insults them saying, “You will always be who you were born to be.” During their empowering, groove-heavy duet of “Impossible,” Ghee assures Infante that living as their authentic self is more than possible.

Broadway Backwards, the annual Broadway extravaganza celebrating the LGBTQ+ community through the great songs of musical theater, returns to Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre on Monday, March 13, 2023. The beloved evening and its star-studded cast will embrace love and self-expression in true Broadway fashion.

"Impossible" with Z Infante, J. Harrison Ghee and Janelle Farias Sando
by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II from Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
Choreographed by Robert Bartley and Joshua Buscher-West
Costume Design by Tyler Carlton Williams
Speciality Cinderella Costume Design by John Kristiansen
Arranged, Orchestrated and Conducted by Matt Aument

Broadway luminaries and cheerful audience members united in full and jubilant force May 23, 2022, lending their light to celebrate LGBTQ+ lives, culture and contributions with the in-person return of Broadway Backwards.

Broadway Backwards creator Robert Bartley wrote and directed this year’s return to the stage alongside associate director Adam Roberts. Bartley and Roberts joined James Kinney and Joshua Buscher-West in choreographing the show. Mary-Mitchell Campbell served as music supervisor; Ted Arthur was music director with Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders as associate music directors.

The 16th edition of the show, which had not been performed live since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic, raised a record-breaking $758,582 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City.

Jenn Colella returned as host, leading a cast of 86 performers and a 13-piece orchestra that enchanted a standing-room-only audience at Disney’s New Amsterdam Theatre with LGBTQ+ affirming numbers.

Broadway Backwards creator Robert Bartley wrote and directed this year’s return to the stage alongside associate director Adam Roberts. Bartley and Roberts joined James Kinney and Joshua Buscher-West in choreographing the show. Mary-Mitchell Campbell served as music supervisor; Ted Arthur was music director with Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders as associate music directors. The creative team included lighting design by Craig Stelzenmuller, costume design by Tyler Carlton Williams, Jeff Johnson-Doherty, John Kristiansen and Natalie Loveland, prop design by Jenna Snyder and Alexander Wylie and sound design by Marie Renee Foucher. Jeff Brancato was production supervisor and Gregory R. Covert was production stage manager. Binder Casting’s Mark Brandon and Chad Eric Murnane served as casting consultants.

Video by Bardo Arts Productions.

What began as a small, grassroots concert performed in the community room at The Center in 2006 has grown into a highly anticipated event presented in one of Broadway’s most beautiful theaters. In its 16 editions, Broadway Backwards has raised $6.3 million for Broadway Cares and The Center.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theater community, since 1988 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other critical illnesses across the United States.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the major supporter of the social service programs at the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway Cares also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., providing lifesaving medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency assistance.

[user-z]

Okay, but we applied for the rights and were all set to do an all queer production of R+H Cinderella in 2020, got as far as casting, read throughs, and design meetings. Then when Concord theatricals got word they shut us down because they didn't want a trans Cinderella and she "couldn't sing it in the same key as they score" and that somehow broke the agreement.

I'm glad we have this at least. Hopefully there comes a day we can have our all-queer production of Cinderella. And it's as body diverse and nuerodiverse as our production almost was.

[TwitchyHedwig]

I felt real emotions in that dress reveal.

[cameronnye]

i would pay good money to see this as a full production

[Sam-bffl]

The fairy Godperson is stunning and I want that outfit ngl ✨

[maribeld]

Damn Ghee rocked those heals! And those lovely belts, gorgeous voice! This rendition is absolutely wonderful

[brokenmusiquebox]

I broke my ankle watching him strut around the stage in those heels. Mad jealous of them.

[michaelsingslive]

why am i sitting here crying? OMG!!! OMG! this made me cry

[jeremyslagle]

Holy hell this was beautiful!! Just....wow. So touching and I'd love to see this as an entire show one day!!

[EllaReadsTooMuch]

GODPERSON KILLING IT ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Since Billy Porter, I wanted more, THANK YOU ♡♡♡
THE DRESS REVEAL!! ;-; ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

[elletkd]

Broadway does it again. Absolutely incredible. So much talent with a vital message woven between the lyrics. BRAVA!

[marlymarly]

The both of them are such talented singers and actors ♥️ both their styles were incredible and fit the characters perfect too

[chrisshoemaker]

Great job Z, so proud of you! Keep chasing your dreams!

[tj]

Fantastic performance from both! Entrancing, enchanting, & exhilarating!

[TheWiseGrif]

I've never heard of Z Infante before, but damn if i'm not a fan of them now

[Arkelk]

I'm not sure the song can take the weight of the drama. However, the way they made this a duet (the original is a duet, but with a different balance, I think) was clever. The singers/actors blended well and did a great job.

[janicegreenberg]

This was wonderful. Great singing and acting. Poignant and powerful and delightful.

[JaneDoe]

I just want everyone to know that this is the best thing ever!

[TulsaKanette]

i love the tshirt the guy singing Cinderella is wearing

[christiandorey]

An R&H Jukebox Musical with queer stories would literally be SO incredible.

[dawnchance]

I cried when she said you called me mother.