New York Theater: I PUT A SPELL ON YOU: ALIVE (Sony Hall)

Post image for New York Theater: I PUT A SPELL ON YOU: ALIVE (Sony Hall)

by Tony Frankel on September 28, 2022

in Theater-New York

SPILL YOUR MAGIC BEANS NOW;
THIS SPELL ONLY LASTS ONE NIGHT

Get all dead-dolled up and get your spook on for Broadway’s biggest Halloween event of the year: Jay Armstrong Johnson’s annual sold-out Halloween concert-meets-party, I Put a Spell on You, which returns LIVE at New York City’s Sony Hall  ( 235 W 46th St) on Sunday, October 23, 2022. For tickets ($35), visit Broadway Cares. Sponsorship and VIP packages are available.

The Sanderson Sisters
(Amanda Williams Ware, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Allison Robinson)

In their search to find beauty, youth and immortality, the bewitching and beloved Sanderson Sisters (Johnson returns as Winifred Sanderson with  Allison Robinson  and Amanda Williams Ware as sisters Sarah and Mary) return from the dead and gather their most famous friends to help them lure the children of New York. The show begins at 8 pm Eastern (doors open at 7:30 pm) and is followed by a blowout dance party. Embrace the evening by donning your favorite Halloween garb and entering the costume contest to win prizes.

Ahmad Simmons and  Robyn Hurder in "The Evil Step Trio"

I Put a Spell on You was created by and stars Johnson (On the Town). This is a spoof of and tribute to the beloved cult classic movie Hocus Pocus.  Expect larger-than-life performances and choreography, over-the-top costumes and makeup, unmatched production values and a healthy dose of Broadway magic, all benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Gavin Creel in "Witchcraft"

Broadway stars joining this year: Major Attaway  (Aladdin), Nick Rashad Burroughs  (Tina), Tony Award winner  Gavin Creel  (Into the Woods), Tony nominee  Robyn Hurder  (Moulin Rouge!), two time Grammy Winning Tamika Lawrence (Caroline or Change), Julia Mattison (Godspell), Tomás Matos  (Hadestown),  Krysta Rodriguez (Halston), Alanna Saunders (Harry Potter), Claire Saunders  (The Intern), Heath Saunders  (Company),  James Scully  (Fire Island), Tony Award winner Britton Smith  (Broadway Advocacy Coalition), and  Alysha Umphress  (On the Town).

Nick Rashad Burroughs in "Attention"

Rounding out the cast are  Sydney Allie, Marie Baramo, Tanah Becker, Olivia Cece, Kia Danielle, Zachary Eisenberg, Tyler Eisenreich, Zachary Flores, Olivia Griffin, Natalie Hinds, Brittany Jenkins, Karma Jenkins, Darriel Johnakin, Erin Kei, Kolton Krouse, Markelle Leigh, Grace LeMieux, Hector Juan Maisonet, Maddox Martin, Nick Nazzaro, Natalia Nievesm, Kathryn Priest, Gabriel Andrew Reyes, Celeste Rose, Sydnie Roy, Jamal Shuriah, Michael Sylvester, Olivia Tarchick, Christopher Tipps, Jamaal Wade, Erin Weinberger, Robyn Williams  and  Zach Williams.

Alanna and Claire Saunders in"The Evil Step Trio"

Every ticket purchased will help those across the country affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other critical illnesses receive healthy meals, lifesaving medication, emergency financial assistance, housing, counseling and more.

The production is written by Johnson and directed by Ahmad Simmons, who also is supervising choreographer for the show.  Associate director/choreographer is  Lili Froehlich, assistant choreographer is  Kristopher Ward, additional choreographers include  Mike Baerga, Phil Colgan, Chris Jarosz, Michael Sylvester,  and  Jason Williams.  The music supervisor is  Will Van Dyke. The creative team includes costume design and art direction by  DW, multimedia produced by  Catriona Rubenis-Stevens, projection and video design by  Jamie Kiliany,  technical direction by  Mido Francios,  lighting design by  William Succoso,  makeup design by Alcone Company’s  Kyle Krueger,  key makeup by  J Guerra, SFX makeup lead is  Christina Vida Roldos, and  set decoration by  Michael Lee Scott.

Heath Saunders as "Billy Butcherson"

Sponsors include  Abracadabra,  Alcone,  The Costume Studio,  Groove with Me,  Open Jar Studios,  Schmackary’s,  Sony Hall,   and  Vita Coco.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the philanthropic heart of Broadway,  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.

production photos and poster photo by Roberto Araujo

Jay Armstrong Johnson (photo by Mitchell Vito)

I PUT A SPELL ON YOU: ALIVE
Kampfire Films and Jay Armstrong Johnson
Sunday October 23, 8:00 pm
Sony Hall, 235 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
for tickets ($35), visit Broadway Careso
for more info, visit Broadway Cares at  broadwaycares, facebook, instagram, twitter and youtube.
attendees must be full vaccinated against COVID-19
masks are strongly recommended (it is Halloween, after all!)

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