Joshua Henry Will Host Broadway Inspirational Voices Concert Featuring Emilie Kouatchou, J. Harrison Ghee, More

Broadway Inspirational Voices, the nonprofit Broadway choir currently celebrating 29 years, will host its fourth annual fundraising event in October. Entitled Hope in Harmony: Award Ceremony & Fundraiser, the evening will be held October 9 at Sony Hall.

Tony and Grammy nominee Joshua Henry will host the concert, which will feature performances by John Manzari, Naomi Funaki, Emilie Kouatchou, Shoshana Bean, Shayna Steele, Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee, and Jared Alexander. The event’s music and performances are curated by BIV Artistic Director Allen René Louis.

BIV will also present its 2023 Inspiration Awards to United States Artist Fellowship Recipient tap dancer and choreographer Ayodele Casel, Tony-winning composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman, and six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald. The BIV Inspiration Award celebrates an individual or organization who is changing the dynamics of not only the arts but society as a whole.

“Founded nearly 30 years ago by Tony and Grammy-nominated Michael McElroy, Broadway Inspirational Voices began in 1994 when many of those impacted by AIDS and AIDS-related complications came from within the Broadway community and saw a profound need for hope, unity, and inspiration,” says BIV Executive Director Angela Grovey. “Almost three decades later, we’ve been honored to serve communities in need through uplifting choir performances and our signature arts, education, and outreach community programs including children to seniors to criminal justice initiatives. Our annual fundraiser is a true celebration and an opportunity to lift up those who have inspired BIV and to show our community what we are doing to inspire the next generation. This year’s honorees have truly given beyond themselves and positively impacted our community. Acknowledging these industry luminaries is a small gift we can give them for the work they have done and continue to do for our community. To say ‘thank you’ is an honor. To say, ‘you inspired us to...’ is at the core of BIV's mission.”

“It means the world to me to be an honoree at this year’s Broadway Inspirational Voices Benefit. Every time I have been lucky enough to attend one of their performances or outreach events, I leave it completely uplifted and transformed. The work BIV does in bringing communities together through their incredible music, mentorship, and outreach is life affirming and vital to all who encounter them. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of this year’s celebration,” adds honoree McDonald.

"This night is an opportunity for our community to celebrate with us, as we acknowledge the work of The Broadway Inspirational Voices, but to also be inspired to join in the work! It is important for us to highlight and honor these members of our community because their work has and will continue to create sparks of inspiration and hope all over the world—and that inspires us all! If more people were committed to being a source of hope and inspiration and joined their ‘voices’ in the ‘song’ of hope, more lives could be touched—and that is a powerful thing!” states BIV Artistic Director Louis.

Proceeds from the event will go towards Broadway Inspirational Voices' initiatives, including community outreach programs, music education efforts, and collaborative projects that bring the joy of music and the arts to underserved populations.

The evening will begin with pre-show performances and a "blue" carpet at 6 PM, followed by the awards ceremony and performances at 7 PM.

Broadway Inspirational Voices is an ensemble of actors, artists, and musicians from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows including Chicago, Hamilton, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, MJ the Musical, Shrek: The Musical, The Color Purple, Phantom of the Opera, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Wicked, and more.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the event, click here.