DISNEY ON BROADWAY streaming fundraiser for COVID-19 emergency fund cancelled

A streaming fundraiser of 2019’s Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway has been cancelled after organizers failed to secure permission to stream the concert.

Disney on Broadway was scheduled to stream April 13 on broadwaycares.org in an effort to raise money for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund. The fund was created to help financially support actors, musicians and production workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizer Broadway Cares stated in a news release that it was unable to reach an agreement with the leadership of the American Federation of Musicians to permit the stream of the 2019 concert. Broadway Cares said it had already received permission to stream the event from Disney Theatrical Productions, SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity Association.

Actor and singer Ryan McCartan was scheduled to host the streaming fundraiser from his basement. In addition to showing the concert, the event was set to feature interviews with Disney on Broadway stars from their homes.

Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway took place in November 2019 at New York’s New Amsterdam Theatre. The concert featured a 15-piece orchestra and a cast of 79 performers.

As previously reported, Broadway theatres in New York, which make up the city’s largest tourist industry, have been shuttered since mid-March to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Donations to the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund can still be made by visiting broadwaycares.org/help2020.