The New York theater community is banding together to save one of its own.
Broadway stars including Matthew Broderick, Chita Rivera and Jane Krakowski — along with famed theater enthusiast Hillary Clinton — are taking part in a virtual performance of “The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)” to help rebuild the York Theatre after it experienced “devastating” damage in January from a water main break.
“I’m a big fan of live theater not only for the escape it provides, but because it feeds the human spirit and mind and it plays an essential role in our society and our democracy,” Clinton, 73, told Page Six in a statement. “After all, art is not a luxury, it is a necessity.”
The former secretary of state is set to deliver remarks at the event. Producer Tom D’Angora, who is presenting the show, is a friend of the Clinton family and worked on both of her presidential campaigns.
Although the April 18 event is free, a GoFundMe for the Off-Broadway theater has been set up and already raised more than $130,000.
Debra Messing, Sara Bareilles, Betty Buckley, Lewis Black, Isaac Mizrahi and Richard Kind are also set to make appearances in the show.
“As we come back from the pandemic, let’s make sure the New York theater scene is waiting for us as vibrant as ever,” Messing, 52, told us in a statement.
Broadway shows are expected to start opening up again this fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)” is set to stream live at 7 p.m. ET on April 18.