Alexandra Billings "Mr. Cellophane" - Broadway Backwards 2022

The Broadway Backwards audience couldn’t take their eyes off typically invisible “Mr. Cellophane” when portrayed by the captivating Alexandra Billings. Beginning with a compelling personal monologue that shared the actor and activist’s first time seeing a transgender person on TV in the 1970s and seeing something similar in themself, Billings delivered a heart-stopping plea to be seen and heard. Her final lyrics “everyone will know I’m there” rang loud and proud through the New Amsterdam Theatre. There was nothing “inconsequential” about this Amos Hart from Kander and Ebb’s Chicago.
Broadway Backwards, the annual Broadway extravaganza celebrating the LGBTQ+ community through the great songs of musical theater, returns to Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre on Monday, March 13, 2023. The beloved evening and its star-studded cast will embrace love and self-expression in true Broadway fashion.
www.broadwaycares.org/pre-eve...
"Mr. Cellophane" with Alexandra Billings
by John Kander and Fred Ebb from Chicago
Arranged by Bill Newlin
Orchestrated by Connor Keelan
Conducted by Nicholas Connors
Broadway luminaries and cheerful audience members united in full and jubilant force May 23, 2022, lending their light to celebrate LGBTQ+ lives, culture and contributions with the in-person return of Broadway Backwards.
Broadway Backwards creator Robert Bartley wrote and directed this year’s return to the stage alongside associate director Adam Roberts. Bartley and Roberts joined James Kinney and Joshua Buscher-West in choreographing the show. Mary-Mitchell Campbell served as music supervisor; Ted Arthur was music director with Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders as associate music directors.
The 16th edition of the show, which had not been performed live since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic, raised a record-breaking $758,582 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City.
Jenn Colella returned as host, leading a cast of 86 performers and a 13-piece orchestra that enchanted a standing-room-only audience at Disney’s New Amsterdam Theatre with LGBTQ+ affirming numbers.
Broadway Backwards creator Robert Bartley wrote and directed this year’s return to the stage alongside associate director Adam Roberts. Bartley and Roberts joined James Kinney and Joshua Buscher-West in choreographing the show. Mary-Mitchell Campbell served as music supervisor; Ted Arthur was music director with Nicholas Connors and Nick Wilders as associate music directors. The creative team included lighting design by Craig Stelzenmuller, costume design by Tyler Carlton Williams, Jeff Johnson-Doherty, John Kristiansen and Natalie Loveland, prop design by Jenna Snyder and Alexander Wylie and sound design by Marie Renee Foucher. Jeff Brancato was production supervisor and Gregory R. Covert was production stage manager. Binder Casting’s Mark Brandon and Chad Eric Murnane served as casting consultants.
Video by Bardo Arts Productions.
What began as a small, grassroots concert performed in the community room at The Center in 2006 has grown into a highly anticipated event presented in one of Broadway’s most beautiful theaters. In its 16 editions, Broadway Backwards has raised $6.3 million for Broadway Cares and The Center.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS 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.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the major supporter of the social service programs at the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway Cares also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., providing lifesaving medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency assistance.
For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at broadwaycares.org, at BCEFA, at BCEFA, at tiktok.com/@bcefa and at / bcefa .

[@finmiles965]

That "Oh...There I am." always gets me. What a radiant performance and woman.

[@ryanwilliamvannostrand4081]

Y'all could not tell me she wouldn't EAT IT UP as mama in chicago! This performance was so deeply moving like HOLY COW! The pure talent that she holds!!

[@lizthelucky]

Or Mama Rose in Gypsy!

[@MarkHyde]

@@lizthelucky MAMA ROSE indeed please - Alexandra would kill it in that role!! :)

[@McCoolDesign]

@@MarkHyde she did Mama Rose....in Chicago...at Bailiwick Theatre. Now...the role they need to hand her is MAME.....and soon....ON BROADWAY!!!!!!!!!!

[@songforten]

Love this. 👏🏼

[@joyjohn6501]

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[@zelma8]

This performance gave me goosebumps, and by the end, I was full on CRYING!!! As a mom of an LGBTQ teenager, this resonated deeply! This woman is downright FABULOUS, and I love how she twisted the song, because goddammit, she will NEVER be invisible!!! ❤❤❤

[@DiWriter]

Same - love to you mama!

[@antm64]

This version gave a new meaning to this iconic number.

[@helvecio]

Geez...I've seen Ms. Alexandra Billings quite a few times as an actress but never knew she can S-I-N-G!!! Kudos!

[@brianbara3204]

I've known Alex for quite a while. Her Kate Hepburn videos are hilarious and she is ALWAYS fabulous! I was lucky enough to see her B'way debut as Madame Morrible in "Wicked" and she was nothing less than amazing!

[@farfle]

I happened across her Kate Hepburn videos a long time ago and was totally impressed! Recently read her book, which was fabulous. This performance just blows me away!

[@mousepariah3884]

WOw... I can picture her as Morrible and I am here for it.

[@ds7675]

Wow, she can really belt out a song! Fantastic voice and her early story watching Phil Donahue was inspiring to say the least. Kudos!

[@randalllaue4042]

Hair was not white then.

[@syd4585]

i watch this video a couple times a year and think "oh, there i am"

[@superzack247]

No one captivates an audience like Alexandra Billings. She is one of the greatest entertainers of our time

[@Mastattak]

I didn't know her until this video! Wow she's brilliant, I'm definetely going to look more of her performances up!!

[@harlemhomme]

me too!

[@chrisyoungblood9234]

Check out her TikToks. She’s incredibly talented and very funny. I’m a huge fan.

[@PaulOfTheNorth]

What an amazing renditionof the song. Amazing and so moving. Literally brought a tear to my eye, reminded me of my own sudden "realization" I was not the only "homosexual" person in the world while watching Mike Douglas Show and some doctor pushing his book mentioned (GASP!) homosexual men. 14-year-old gay boy me was taken aback by the relevation. Things changed so much after that point of discovery I was not weird and alone. But this is about the performance above and I'll point out again that it was amazing, touched me and gives hope to kids out there that it may be tough but it does get better.

[@SounderMom31]

Goosebumps ❤ sending much love, support and respect from Germany. ❤ btw. I’m sooooo happy you turned on the TV that Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock ❤

[@songforten]

Beautiful story. Beautiful performance. Has the ability to change, if not save, lives. Much love and light your way. Thank you for sharing. ♥️

[@jndancer]

A performance from Alexandra from 1997 brought me here. Why do I feel like it's history repeating? What a performance! I just hope that it makes a difference for someone.

[@jlontypython]

THIS IS EVERYTHING. BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! Best wishes to you darling! Thank you for giving us this performance! This is the best performance of this song I have seen on the screen or stage, thank you for sharing and thank you thank you thank you! I adored this; it made me so happy. I’m going to go to audible and buy your book ASAP I encourage everyone else to do the same.

[@MustaDujak]

That was intense, in the best way possible… what a performance! Brava!

[@kirstenclark5960]

This was an absolutely exquisite performance.

[@shaunevelyn2313]

Beyond. Just fabulous. Ms Alexandra needs to come on down to the UK for a show please

[@banrions]

G o d s. She’s fantastic and this interpretation of the song hits so hard.

[@stressmuffin]

Yeah! The Billy songs are awesome, but if I were a man, I’d rather play Amos instead of Billy in Chicago, just because I can sing Mr.Cellophane on the show. That’s so cool that this stunning woman, Alexandra sang this song. If she can sing Mr. Cellophane, then so can I! Bravo to that gorgeous queen Alexandra! 👏😘❤️

[@mousepariah3884]

It's kinda like people wanting to be Mercutio over Romeo. One may be the male 'lead' but the other is more fun.

[@MrMightyZ]

I just learned of this person’s existence from watching her truly excellent performance in The Peripheral. Expert and excellent.

[@MichaelP833]

this video confused me there was comedy, but also a very dark tone (putting it lightly). i felt sad hearing it. then the talk of being invisible, and i honestly started to cry a bit and the ending, showing the change "everyone will know im there", feeling such joy to see someone that has really found themselves. i am crying, practically weeping, both at the pain and and the joy. quite a confusing mix of emotions for me i am not trans, but i feel i can relate a lot to this. i have always felt some meaning in the song, but never anything close to now. i wonder if i will ever sing that rewrite.

[@YouAreSoLoved962]

Wow. That speech. Hee vocals. Thank you, Ms. Billings.

[@AsmrAmurana]

sobbing. Beautiful

[@alexr137]

Why is this video unlisted? The world needs to see this brilliance!

[@PaulLeary]

Share it everywhere!

[@Donnagata1409]

Oh, such a beautiful performance!

[@topherv4229]

I've been "following" Alexandra's career since the late 1980's in Chicago and am so proud of her achievements! This is sublime!

[@stephenmkatzasc]

This is a discovery for me… Wow!!!!!! Brilliant!

[@marl3ymarl3y86]

Love her story 👏♥️ thank you

[@ebbasig]

So fucking amazing. I admire and adore her work all the way from Iceland. She is the greatest!

[@keniarosemary]

OK BUT SHE ATE WITH THIS PERFORMANCE!!! Alexandra Billings is soooo inspiring!!! I was fortunate enough to meet her while at USC. She was extremely gracious, generous, humble, and hilarious. Such a kind soul and talent.

[@scottfoster6951]

Thank you!

[@triffus]

Captivating. The definition. This is incredible.

[@kbonstage]

Love you, Alex. You're a storyteller of our time.

[@Lancethetheaterkid]

Such a powerful performance i felt this to my core what a powerful woman

[@Bethelaine1]

I love this song and she makes it even better.

[@katebunn7567]

Miss beyond Fabulous singing Nr Cellophane... Because they almost disappeared because of bigotry! Everyone deserves to been seen & accepted for who they are. Whoever needs to read this, I see you, I accept you, you are perfectly perfect at being you & that's the most important thing you ever be, YOU. It's what you were born to do. And I will watch you soar with pride over flowing my heart.

[@KyleRayner12]

I think it's important that you strangers all know that the coolest drag king and burlesque dancer in Cincinnati does this as her opener.

[@JoelyGallant]

I got chills this is so powerful!

[@gemmeeljanne3184]

I was mesmerized by her in Peripheral

[@stephenholmes5362]

Amazing!!!!!

[@nmscmt22]

she's amazing. i cried.

[@ColinRossWaterson]

Phenomenal!!!!!! So moving xx

[@patriciacruz208]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@shawnaciampa9011]

ABSOLUTE. GODDESS.

[@gayhomosexuallll]

Amazing!

[@davidswift7059]

Incredible , gave me the chills ❤️

[@denisekaufer5240]

You are absolutely beautiful ❤… I rarely comment on videos but I feel the need to say that you are gorgeous and truly amazing… I love you on the conners… you are true to yourself… laws or no laws.. people need to mind their own business and just be happy.. sadly most people have no clue unless they are butting in to others lives… you are extremely talented and I wish you joy and happiness forever ❤❤❤

[@rachelyobs7520]

Courage and grit!

[@StephenHartHartTalks]

big fan of Alexandra, and this song was perfect! xoxo

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

Awesome!!!

[@johnraymondbarker4]

You gorgeous, amazing human! I see you, baby! Beautiful!

[@mryamahaxeno]

Brilliant!!!

[@emilylopez3438]

I see you. You have a beautiful voice and a beautiful soul.

[@nicholasdomitraschuk1689]

LOVE THIS SONG

[@udif11]

what a moving performance! wow!

[@randymanlb]

❤️❤️❤️

[@leighannwagor5037]

Oh, my gosh!! Brava!!! Such chills!!

[@michaelaltamirano2046]

this gave me CHILLS

[@antm64]

this was, indeed, a notable performance!

[@Dave-pq7kf]

I'm a drag queen that takes part in hosting a local pride parade, and ive been struggling to find a song to sing for the crowd. This performance really gave me chills, and the weight of the words finally got to me. I might have to perform this now as well 💗 absolutely beautiful

[@aderiusscott2220]

She was great in wicked....😊

[@rickgelb2213]

I love her!

[@eduardoeimil1145]

Amazing performance. Bravo!!!!!

[@GrayNeko]

I'm still angry as hell that The Peripheral didn;'t get a second season! Inspector Lowebeer was my favorite character! I'm proud of you, Alexandra, you made a choice that most wouldn't have the nerve. ^_^

[@artndollsnstuff]

Alexandra Billings - Chieko Shima - Son of Fire! I was one of the Filipino Mafia seat fillers (Gabby's gang) 😂 Chieko Shima said a line I always go by. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ More power to you ❤️

[@sabinarose6629]

What a moving performance! It was incredible!!!

[@Angeleva-fwz23]

This was a beautiful, amazing performance by a equally beautiful amazing woman. I so wish the story you told was consigned to history but it is scary hearing all the stories coming out of the states. We live in the uk and hearing similar hateful arguments here worries me for the future of all LGBTQIA+ . I’m saying this as a mum who had a discussion with her daughter in her 20’s who was dropping loads of hints so I asked her if she liked girls and she said yes! She is autistic, not that most people would realise, and has adhd. A teacher kindly told them at school it was wrong to feel anything for people of the same sex so if they thought they had feelings at 11 or 12 , it was just hormones and it would pass. As a result, she thought it was wrong and being autistic struggled to know what was normal for her body to feel or not. She also didn’t talk much so I didn’t know any of this until we chatted after discovering she was gay. I am very happy she is , as she now looks like the happiest person on the planet.she is able to chat more , and it turns out, she thought she might be gay from a pre school age almost. I realise my mistake as a parent though , I talked to my kids about love is love growing up, so she knew I was likely to be accepting of her even though I am a Christian, but even with that, without thinking , you still naturally tease about, who do you fancy and talking about marriage and kids as in the ‘normal heteronormative’ way and that I now feel a little guilty about because if I didn’t , I and my daughter have realised earlier a big part of who she was, so I would advise anyone reading , don’t assume and always try and be open with kids growing up, never assume they are going to be with someone of the opposite sex. Just to add , I had no idea, one of her teachers, took it upon himself to do this. Interestingly my other child , two years above her, was being giving biology classes telling them how enjoyable sex was and the way it made people feel good. I had much more of an issue with that being taught than I ever would have had with them teaching kids it is ok and perfectly normal to be gay! It explains why we had some of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country at the time!

[@hermeticbear]

stunning. An awesome performance

[@alexr137]

She never fails to astound me with her incredible talent!

[@cjglynne5162]

I see you!!!

[@merykey2378]

AAMAAAZIINNNG!!

[@jukeboxwendy]

😍😍😍😍

[@hermesmercury]

Decency laws... why does this sounds so current to me?

[@randalllaue4042]

Great on TV show.

[@lorenzwinterhoff8049]

Ironic that such an icon would be singing, "inconsequential" about themselves. Ma'am, you are a powerhouse and an example to us all.

[@LizaFan]

This is fucking incredible.

[@EVITANDY]

Where did John Kander's melody go?

[@mousepariah3884]

She packed it all in that finisher

[@iWhacko]

just know I see you...

[@meminnieandthegang.2076]

Yawn

[@lanafalana]

Love the stylized version although I am not in agreement with the lifestyle, I liked the performance even the story.

[@keithliebenberg6947]

We need those laws back again!

[@Mastattak]

Begone, troll

[@isabellac4901]

Aww I'm so glad you clicked on a video that you knew would make you lose sleep just to comment that💅🏻

[@jeffreybowers1220]

this aint the flex u think it is

[@gchicklet]

Read the room and feel free to leave it