Event Details

📍Joe's Pub - 425 Lafayette Street New York, NY

📅 Event Date: Monday, September 21st, 2026

⌚ Doors open at 6 PM

🎶Show starts at 7 PM

🎟️ Paddle Raise starts at 7:25 PM

About the GMHC Cabaret

Since 2013, the GMHC Cabaret has brought together Broadway, music, and entertainment for an unforgettable evening in support of GMHC.

At its heart is the Howard Ashman Award, named for the Oscar-winning lyricist behind Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast, who died from complications of AIDS in 1991. The award honors artists and cultural leaders whose talent, humanity, and commitment to community reflect Ashman’s enduring legacy.

Each year, extraordinary performers and honorees come together for a uniquely New York night of music, celebration, and purpose; all while raising critical funds for GMHC.

Great performances. Remarkable people. One extraordinary night for GMHC.

Howard Ashman Award Honoree

Jerry Mitchell (Director/Choreographer)

JERRY MITCHELL is a two-time Tony Award-winning choreographer for his choreography on Kinky Boots and the La Cage aux Folles revival. He was also Tony nominated for his direction of Kinky Boots.

Jerry made his Broadway debut as choreographer with You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, followed by The Full Monty, The Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray, Gypsy, Never Gonna Dance, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, La Cage aux Folles, Imaginary Friends, Legally Blonde, Catch Me If You Can, Kinky Boots, Pretty Woman and Boop!, eight of which garnered him Tony nominations. Previous Broadway direction credits include Pretty Woman and Gloria Estefan’s On Your Feet! For film, Jerry created dance sequences for Scent of a Woman, The Object of My Affection, among others.

Jerry received the Drama League’s Founders’ Award for Excellence in Directing and the George Abbott Lifetime Achievement Award. He received a third Tony in 2023 for his creation of Broadway Bares, a comedy burlesque show performed annually for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Special Guest

Evening's Host, Julie James

Julie James is a celebrated radio host, performer, and longtime champion of Broadway and the performing arts. Best known as the host of SiriusXM’s On Broadway, Julie has interviewed some of theater’s biggest stars and become a beloved voice within the Broadway community. A dynamic performer in her own right, she brings her signature warmth, wit, and love of theater to the GMHC Cabaret as this year’s host.

Performers

Join us for an extraordinary evening of music and celebration featuring an incredible lineup of Broadway talent coming together in support of GMHC and to celebrate this year’s Howard Ashman Award honoree, Jerry Mitchell.

Featuring performances by:

André De Shields
Paul Canaan
Jasmine Amy Rogers
Alysha Umphress
Ainsley Melham
Kerry Butler
Orfeh
Plus, more special guests to be announced.

From Tony Award winners and Broadway legends to some of today’s most exciting voices, this one-night-only performance brings the Broadway community together for an intimate evening at Joe’s Pub - all in support of GMHC’s lifesaving programs and services.

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Online bidding is NOW open and is available for all participants!

Our Sponsors

Thanks to our Generous Sponsors

Our sponsors play an integral role in making this event a special night to honor our mission.