Broadway stars and creators talk about ‘Finn’ musical at Town Hall in New York

Andrew Rannells, Seth Rudetsky, Lea Salonga, James Wesley Jackson and Michael Urie. Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Stars in the House.

Broadway stars and creators chatted prior to the special performance of “Finn” musical at Town Hall in New York on Monday, March 17th.

It was presented by Stars in the House, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Trevor Project, which is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people.

“Stars in the House” producers Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson joined Michael Urie, Charlotte D’Amboise, Nina West, Peppermint, Adam Pascal, Brenda Braxton, and Zachary Noah Piser in the star-studded cast of the special performance of “Finn,” which was Livestreamed at this website.

Rudetsky and Jackson have teamed up with “Finn” creators Chris Nee, Michael Kooman, and Christopher Dimond and presented this one-night-only performance, which also celebrates the fifth anniversary of “Stars in the House,” the inspiring and wildly successful COVID-era digital series that has raised over $2 Million for the Entertainment Community Fund and other organizations in need.

Kerry Kennedy, the President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and niece of John F. Kennedy for whom the Kennedy Center was named, participated in the program, and spoke about the importance of the arts in a democracy.

They join previously-announced stars Andrew Rannells, Kelli O’Hara, Lea Salonga, Bonnie Milligan, Jessie Mueller, Nikki M. James, Jose Llana, and Hennessy Winkler, as well as members of the original Kennedy Center cast.

The evening featured a performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, whose Kennedy Center appearance was recently canceled, with members of New York City
Gay Men’s Chorus joining in solidarity.

Prior to the show, many actors and “Finn creators” were gracious enough to speak about this special performance, and its significance.

James Wesley Jackson

James Wesley Jackson remarked, “I am so excited to be here with all of these artists who are donating their time, and we are here to celebrate art, democracy, and freedom.”

“The message of the musical ‘Finn’ is universal. It’s for anyone who feels like an outsider. It feels like we are all united and together. It’s a beautiful story,” he added.

Seth Rudetsky

“This event is important because the show is really beautiful, and it’s really moving,” Rudetsky said. “It is really funny, but at the same time, we all have tears in our eyes by the end. It’s a really important show.”

“The fact that it had its tour cancelled is so unfair, so I think it’s really important that we show the world this show, and then, get the tour reinstated,” he said.

“Art should not be silenced, especially when it is beautiful,” Rudetsky acknowledged. “Town Hall is an unbelievable venue, and it is really a place of incredible, forward-thinking values. I think it’s perfect that we are at Town Hall due to its rich history.”

Chris Nee, ‘Finn’ co-creator

“We wanted to do a story that was questioning toxic masculinity, not realizing how pertinent it would be by the time the show came out,” Chris Nee said. “That’s really what the show was for: we wanted for kids who feel different to have some joy in their lives, and that’s what we are trying to do tonight.”

“It feels incredible to be at Town Hall,” Nee exclaimed. “The last three days watching these extraordinary artists show up to do this work and to amplify what was silenced is incredible.”

Christopher Diamond, ‘Finn’ co-creator

On his inspiration to create “Finn,” Diamond said, “We wanted to tell a story for kids who feels differently, and they feel like they don’t fit in with whatever group they find themselves in, so we set out to tell that story in a world that we haven’t quite seen on stage before… in this world of sharks and fish. That’s where it all came from for us.”

Diamond continued, “With the rich history of Town Hall, getting a message like this out to kids that need to hear it, particularly at this time in history we find ourselves in now, is incredibly important.”

“We are so grateful to have this platform in order to get the message of the show out as much as we possibly can,” Diamond acknowledged.

Michael Kooman, ‘Finn’ co-creator

“I’ve been in the business for almost 20 years, and to feel the community come together to support this show, which has been cancelled, has been overwhelming,” Michael Kooman said.

“I am so glad that more people get to see this show, and I am so glad that more people get to Livestream it. I am just glad to get the word out to more people,” Kooman said.

“Whenever something gets cancelled for the wrong reasons, the theatre community comes together, and it is really showing up tonight, and I am just so appreciative,” Kooman added.

Lea Salonga

“I am really happy to be here,” Lea Salonga said. “I am glad I got the call, and I am glad that I said ‘yes.’ It’s a really lovely gathering with so many wonderful Broadway people coming together to champion this show.”

Salonga is also happy about her “Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends” show with Bernadette Peters. “We start previews next week. I am really excited,” she said.

Michael Urie

“It’s great to be here,” Michael Urie said. “This is such a great event, the show is an amazing piece, with an incredible cast. We also have the original cast here, and it is quite moving and beautiful. The audience will be in for a real treat.”

“This show should have not been cancelled,” Urie said. “It’s about a young shark that is a little different but he finds his way and that is a beautiful, universal message.”

Urie shared that he was thrilled to host The York Theatre Company GALA, which honored Bernadette Peters with the “Lifetime Achievement Award”

On honoring Bernadette Peters, Urie exclaimed, “It was great. When we honored her, it was very special. I would do anything for that woman. I love Bernadette more than anything. I just saw her do ‘Old Friends’ in Los Angeles, and she is so stunning and amazing. I think Bernadette is the greatest. For me, she is the GOAT.”

He also recalled being a part of the Emmy award-winning digital drama series “After Forever,” “It was great. I was there for one day, and they did such an amazing job. They made such a moving show,” Urie expressed.

Andrew Rannells

“It’s great to be here. I am so excited to be a part of this,” Rannells expressed. “I had heard the news about the show and then they said they were going to be doing a concert. So, I am happy to be here and to see the students, who are also here. It should be a fun night.”

On the importance of this show, Rannells remarked, “I think when the news came out about the cancellations at the Kennedy Center, everyone was quite surprised, and they were shocked with how quickly things were moving.”

“The fact that we were able to take one of those shows and give it a little bit of light in New York’s Town Hall is really exciting,” he noted.

For young and aspiring performers, Rannells said, “Patience is the biggest thing.”

Bonnie Milligan

“It feels amazing to be here,” Bonnie Milligan exclaimed. “To be with such a great group of people doing a really special piece. The sheer talent on stage has been really cool. I play Aggie, Finn’s older sister, who can be a little bit antagonistic to what Finn wants to be. It’s a beautiful, special show about embracing your inner self.”

For her fans, Milligan said, “Keep embracing yourself, and keep embracing musical theatre, especially in these wild, ever-changing times. All we have is art and each other, and a little bit of kindness goes a long way.”

Milligan also recalled being a part of “Titanic” at New York City Center. “I loved doing ‘Titanic’,” she said. “It was wild to be a part of such a giant cast in comparison to being in a small cast in ‘Kimberly Akimbo.’ It was really special, I loved it.”

Kelli O’Hara

“I am so proud to be here,” O’Hara exclaimed. “I just want to shed light on this, celebrate it, and spread joy. The world should see this how. I am happy to be here.”

On the importance of this show, she said, “These opportunities are great; it’s a great resource for spreading love, generosity, and inclusiveness , and I want to be a part of that always.”

For young and aspiring performers, O’Hara encouraged them to “move with their hearts.” “Tell the stories that represent everyone; stories of joy, equality, and humanity. In art, there are no closed doors.”

Regarding her definition of the word success, O’Hara said, “Success means being able to sleep when I put my head on my pillow at night.”