'Back to Before' from Broadway Backwards 2024 featuring Alex Newell

Tony Award winner Alex Newell took the audience “Back to Before” with a show-stopping, standing-ovation-inducing spin on the hit from Ragtime, bringing their singular vocals to the ever-poignant words “you were my sky, my moon and my stars and my ocean/we can never go back to before.”

Broadway Backwards was directed, written and choregraphed by Robert Bartley, Backwards' creator.

A brilliant string of 11-o’clock numbers, standing ovations and LGBTQ+ joy reverberated through the historic walls at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre on March 11, 2024, when Tony Award winners, Broadway legends and newcomers alike spectacularly shared LGBTQ+ stories through show tunes at Broadway Backwards.

The show raised a record $917,651 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) in New York City. The one-night-only, annual event is produced by Broadway Cares.

The elevated evening of love, community and unparalleled performances is the only annual Broadway event custom-made for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. By taking familiar songs in the Broadway canon and transforming them into queer anthems, lighthearted romps and emotional ballads, Broadway Backwards tells stories that deserve to be told onstage. #BroadwayBackwards

"Back to Before"
🎥: Bardo Arts Productions
Directed by Robert Bartley
Orchestrated by Ben Krauss
Music Direction, Arranged & Conducted by Ted Arthur
Hair Design by Monique Gaffney
Makeup Design by Kelly Bellevue

Broadway Backwards
Directed, Written and Choreographed by Robert Bartley
Producers: Jeff Brancato, Scott T. Stevens and Danny Whitman
Music Supervisors: Ted Arthur and Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Music Director: Michael Gacetta
Associate Music Directors: Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders
Choreographers and Associate Directors: Skye Mattox and Adam Roberts
Production Stage Manager: E Sara Barnes
Casting Consultants: Mark Brandon, CSA, and Jarrett Reiche from Casting by ARC
Lighting Design: Carolyn Wong
Sound Design: Maria Renee Foucher
Prop Design: Jenna Snyder and Alexander Wylie
Costume Designers: Kitty Cassetti, Jess Gersz, Vanessa Leuck, Natalie Loveland, Tyler Carlton Williams and Nicole Zausmer
Hair Design: Ian Joseph
Makeup Design: Megan Burke

[scottmiller]

The duality of Alex breaking barriers and winning the Tony for their role in Shucked!, then belting out the lyric “We can never go back to before” should not go without notice. What a powerful rendition of a beautiful song, and I can only hope that Marin Mazzie is smiling on Alex from the beyond!

[meganhash]

Am I thrilled that Alex won a Tony for Shucked? Yes. Am I still bitter they were snubbed for a Tony for Once On This Island? Also yes.

[princesskaguya]

Oh oh oh that pull back on 'before'! So incredible. I love hearing their voice and technique develop. Breathtaking

[laurenk.]

Alex is So gifted. This is one of my all
time favourites from Ragtime. Love
How they changed “I was your wife” in the original to “I was your Life”. So inclusive and fits perfectly.

[kimd]

They look and sound freaking ethereal - I've loved them since Glee and I'm so glad they're getting every bit of recognition for how incredible they are

[heatherann]

I compared this to the key of the original to see if it was lowered for them. It’s actually higher 🤯

[DanCrowleyNYC]

I was there live. This was PERFECT. Congrats Alex!! And honoring Marin perfectly.

[timmielala]

Can we get Alex back on Broadway ASAP. Could they be a replacement Elphaba? Yes. Could they pull of Mama Morton? In their sleep. How about Aragon or Seymour in Six? Duh. Angelica Schuyler? Please. Rafiki? You bet. Aladdin's Genie may be too obvious, but there's a reason for that. How have they not played Hermes of Persephone in Hadestown yet? I mean really, there are so many options.

[mindytillapaugh]

sometimes there are just no I am just happy for Alex - being able to live their true life, share their talent, and be happy !

[jacobmccain]

This was a masterclass if vocals and how to shape a vocal performance just wow👏👏👏🤯! The way she was so light and head for the first verse and got full and stronger as the song went on was just perfect. The swells of dynamics and the pure emotion had me in the edge of my seat! Flawless! No notes, not a crumb was left!

[peppysdream]

Chills. I have followed Alex since the very beginning of her career when she appeared on a reality show to get a part in Glee. What an amazing talent, and what an amazing performance!❤

[HaunaMyKiki]

_THAT'S_ HOW YOU SING THIS SONG!!!

[burtihal]

Absolutely brilliant! Thank you, Alex for your amazing and heartfelt performance. We can NEVER go back.

[nathankuhns]

Wow. Stunning. Amazing performance. I love them so much.

[gtoddm]

Alex is not just a spectacular singer but also an exquisite actor. This just takes my breath away!! "Back in the day, when I let you make all my choices"...so stunning!!

[Exiled.New.Yorker]

They are the most amazing performer. I just want to sit at their feet and watch them sing for a decade or so.

[devinreadams]

Ughhh🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾Yes Alex!🥹❤️ This gave me chills IMMEDIATELY

[ilikefrogsthatjump]

Alex Newell will always blow me away. So talented!

[VidRackoff]

Someone needs to write an original show for Alex to star in.

[hi_there]

alex newell for every musical ever actually please and thanks