Photo of Lea Michele by Jenny Anderson.
The Entertainment Community Fund announced that the one-night-only benefit reunion concert of Ragtime will feature a special appearance by Lea Michele, who originated the role of “Little Girl” on Broadway and currently stars as “Fanny Brice” in the record-breaking first-ever Broadway revival of Funny Girl. As previously announced, the concert will take place on Monday, March 27, 2023 at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th St.). The event will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the show’s Broadway opening and will star original cast members including Emmy, Grammy and six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (“Sarah”), two-time Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell (“Coalhouse Walker, Jr.”) and SAG Award winner Peter Friedman (“Tateh”), with Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara (“Mother”) in the role originally performed by the late Marin Mazzie.
In addition to a special appearance by Michele, the role of “Little Boy” will be played by Jack Casey, the role of “Little Girl” will be played by Addyson Evelyn Tabankin and the role of “Little Coalhouse” will be played by Kai Latorre. Jack Emmett Baumrind will be the standby for “Little Boy”.
“At this 25th anniversary celebration, we’re thrilled to welcome and pass the baton to the next generation of our Ragtime family: Jack, Addyson, Kai and Jack. Having Lea join us—just a child herself in the Original Broadway Company—makes this evening all the more poignant,” shared lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty.
