Marilyn Maye and Lauren Kennedy Join Broadway Backwards 2

Only one show in town features 14 Tony-Award nominations and three winners. An array of Broadway stars will come together for a gender-bending concert featuring show tune favorites on Monday, February 26, 2007. Broadway Backwards 2 (BB2) will showcase a diverse cast of male singers performing songs traditionally performed by female singers, and vice versa, with all proceeds going to support the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Community Center in New York City. The show will feature such luminaries as Betty Buckley and Charles Busch, along with rising stars Constantine Maroulis (TV's American Idol) and Richard Kind (The Producers). Just added to this roster are jazz legend Marilyn Maye and star of Spamalot and London's South Pacific, Lauren Kennedy.

Marilyn Maye, the great RCA recording star (7 albums and 34 singles) who appeared an amazing 76 times on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," and whose recording of "Too Late Now" was chosen by The Smithsonian as one of the 100 best recordings of the 20th century, returns to New York for her first extended club date here since she played Michael's Pub in the early 90's. "An Evening with Marilyn Maye" a new show featuring some of Maye's all-time favorite songs, premieres at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, on March 22. The exclusive engagement through April 1 plays a total of 14 shows. Rex Reed raved in The Observer "Marilyn Maye is a true original… she sounds like a 35-year-old… Who knew she could still do it all and leave the audience screaming for more? With her jazz spiced chops, she has a theatrical flair that captivates and enthralls". Miss. Maye came of age in a different generation, but in performances around the country, she continues to cast a unique spell on the young. Johnny Carson said, after many of Maye's appearances on his show, "and there, young singers, is the way it's done." He named her "Super Singer".

Lauren Kennedy is most well known for her stunning performance in the West End's revival of South Pacific, most recently on Broadway in Spamalot and as stand-by for Emily Skinner in Sideshow. In addition, Lauren is a recording artist, having released a CD of music by composer Jason Robert Brown.

The View's Rosie O'Donnell, who will perform "Summer Nights" from Grease in BB2, said, "This is a great event, and it supports a great cause. The Center is a critical part of the LGBT community and the fabric of New York City culture."

"Hearing two women sing 'If I Loved You' or a man croon 'Can't Help Lovin' That Man' brings the kind of freshness, honesty, and intimacy audiences crave," said BB2 Musical Director Mark Janas. "Celebrating the important work of the Center with the songs of musical theatre greats like Rodgers and Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim seems to be one gay marriage few could find fault with. I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner!"

In addition to Tony-Award winner Buckley, O'Donnell and Maroulis, the star-studded cast of BB2 includes Charles Busch, Richard Kind, and Tony Roberts and Len Cariou, who will perform a duet of "Class" from Chicago. The concert was originally conceived and is directed by Robert Bartley and hosted by Seth Rudetsky.

From last year's inaugural concert, Matt Cavenaugh and Cheyenne Jackson's performance of "We Kiss in a Shadow" was named Best Dynamic Duet of 2006 by Playbill.

Tickets for BB2 are available exclusively through Ticketmaster online or by phone at (212) 307-4100. Service charges apply. There are also a very limited number of $1,000 to $5,000 tickets available, which offer preferred seating in the Orchestra and an invitation to the exclusive after party, generously hosted by HK Restaurant and sponsored by Merrill Lynch.

About the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

Established in 1983, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is the nation's leading and most comprehensive LGBT community center. Through diverse health and wellness services, cultural activities and advocacy initiatives, the Center inspires LGBT New Yorkers at every stage of life to celebrate who they are, empower who they want to be and transform their world. To learn more, call (212) 620-7310 or visit www.gaycenter.org.

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