Broadway Barks Spotlights Adoptables

Waiting in the wings for that one big break, dogs and cats who dream of landing the coveted role of a forever pet parent's furry family member will step into the spotlight during the 18th annual Broadway Barks adoption event.

Taking place on July 30th in Shubert Alley, Broadway Barks co-founder/multi-Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and music legend Gloria Estefan will act as co-hosts of this year's celebrity-packed adoption event. Happily taking on supporting roles for the paws cause, the following stars are scheduled to help adorable adoptables take center stage during a presentation of shelter and rescue pets:

• Bill Berloni (humane animal trainer and founder of Sandy's Fund)


• Reed Birney (2016 Tony Award winner for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in Play for The Humans)


• Sierra Boggess (School of Rock- The Musical)


• Sophia Anne Caruso (Lazarus/Runaways)


• Allison Case (Matilda the Musical)


• Michael Cerveris (2016 Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Fun Home)


• Leanne Cope (2016 Tony Award nominee for her role in An American in Paris)


• Alma E. Cuervo (On Your Feet!)


• Drew Gehling (Waitress)


• Rick Holmes (Matilda the Musical)


• Jayne Houdyshell (2016 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in The Humans)


• Judy Kaye (Wicked)


• Beth Malone (Fun Home)


• Willow McCarthy (Matilda the Musical)


• Judy McLane (Mamma Mia)


• Brian Stokes Mitchell (Shuffle Along; 2000 Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Kiss Me, Kate)


• Bebe Neuwirth (The Addams Family; TV star and Tony Award winner for her roles in Sweet Charity and Chicago)


• Brad Oscar (Something Rotten!)


• Jill Paice (An American in Paris)


• Gabriella Pizzolo (Fun Home)


• Emily Skeggs (2015 Tony Award nominee for her role in Fun Home)


• Peter Scolari (Wicked)


• Carrie St. Louis (Wicked)


• Max von Essen (2015 Tony Award nominee for his role in An American in Paris)


• Aviva Winick (Matilda the Musical)


• Amra-Faye Wright (Chicago)


• Jessica Keenan Wynn (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical)

Illustrator and theatrical poster designer James McMullan, whose works have graced the pages of Sports Illustrated, Esquire and New York magazine, is designing the 2016 Broadway Barks promotional Playbill. Past animal-loving artists who have drawn attention to the event include famous clothing designer Bob Mackie and Hilary Knight, who gained fame for bringing Eloise to life in the pages of the classic children's book.

Produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Barks was established in 1999 by Bernadette Peters and TV icon Mary Tyler Moore. Open to the public, the free event starts at 3 p.m., when potential pet parents can 'audition' for the role of a pet parent to a dog, cat, puppy or kitten from one of 27 participating rescue groups. The stars come out at 5 p.m. for a 90-minute celebrity presentation of adoptable pets.

When: July 30, 2016 from 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Where: Shubert Alley, between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenues)

For more information:

• visit www.broadwaybarks.com