Soap stars join forces for virtual concert for charity, 'ABC Daytime: Back on Broadway'
Stars from "All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital" are joining forces for a one-night only virtual streaming concert for charity.
"ABC Daytime: Back on Broadway," a special produced by and benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, airs Thursday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. ET. It can be streamed for free online, on Broadway Cares' YouTube channel and on the "Good Morning America" Facebook page.
Back in 2005, ABC Daytime stars took over New York City's Town Hall stage for ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares, which was intended to be a one-night show. After that first show's initial success, it was then repeated each year until 2011.
Over those seven years, ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares raised an incredible $1.85 million. Now, 10 years after that final curtain call, ABC Daytime stars are revisiting these performances for a good cause.
The star-studded lineup will include performances from "All My Children" stars Bobbie Eakes, Melissa Claire Egan, Vincent Irizarry, Eva La Rue, Susan Lucci, Cameron Mathison, Eden Riegel, Chrishell Stause and Walt Willey.
"One Life to Live" stars Kristen Alderson, BethAnn Fuenmayor, Kathy Brier, Kassie DePaiva, David Gregory, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Catherine Hickland, Mark Lawson, Hillary B. Smith, Jason Tam and Brittany Underwood will also join "General Hospital" stars Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash and Anthony Geary.
"This event is truly one of a kind," Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares, said in a press release. "We are so thankful to the stars from ABC Daytime for joining us again as we relive moments from this delightful tradition, while helping to provide lifesaving medication, healthy meals and emergency support to those struggling during this ongoing pandemic."
While the streaming event is free, donations will be accepted for Broadway Cares to help those affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and others with serious illnesses to ensure they get healthy meals, life-saving medications, emergency financial assistance, housing, counseling and more.
In addition, donations will also support and champion organizations focused on social justice and anti-racism.
"In 2005 'All My Children' celebrated its 35th anniversary and we wanted to find a unique way to give back to our wonderful fans and the community," Lucci exclusively told "Good Morning America."
"To our amazement, the talented team at Broadway Cares was willing to take on our big idea for this benefit concert," she continued, noting how it was fans' support that allowed them to keep the show going.
"I'm beyond thrilled to share these performances with our fans who didn't get to see them live in New York and further support Broadway Cares during this unprecedented time," Lucci concluded.
To celebrate the upcoming special, "GMA" has an exclusive look at Lucci performing "Winning Isn't Everything" at the first ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefit in 2005.
The song was originally written for her by Marvin Hamlisch and is about Lucci's 18 consecutive years of being nominated for an Emmy -- which she finally won during her 19th year of being up for the award.
Watch Lucci perform "Winning Isn't Everything" exclusively here:
