Celebration to Benefit NYC Pride by Rise NY & Playbill

Reported on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

Pictured Above: Marti Gould Cummings. Photo Credit: RunForSomething.net

NEWSROOM POST: NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Free and Open to the Public Featuring: Anthony Rapp, Mario Cantone, Sandra Valls, Jackie Cox, Cast Members of Wicked the Musical, and more to be announced. Hosted by Marti Gould Cummings

New York, NY – RISE NY, in a partnership with Playbill to benefit Heritage of Pride, will present RISE UP. LIVE PROUD, a special Pride Celebration taking place on Thursday, June 26, beginning at noon. The event will be staged live from the Torch Balcony at RiseNY, overlooking West 45th Street in the heart of Times Square.

Performers include Broadway veteran Anthony Rapp (RENT, “Star Trek Discovery”), Mario Cantone (“And Just Like That…”), Sandra Valls (Real Women Have Curves: The Musical), Jackie Cox (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”), and Cast Members of Wicked, with additional talent to be announced. The celebration will be hosted by activist, entertainer, and Grand Marshall for NYC Pride, Marti Gould Cummings.

The celebration is free and open to the public, and will bring together Broadway stars, LGBTQIA+ artists, and allies for an uplifting celebration of music, pride, and community. The celebration benefits NYC Pride / Heritage of Pride and highlights the ongoing power of visibility and joy in the LGBTQIA+ community.

The performance will feature songs from each artist, performed from above Times Square and shared across Playbill.com and RiseNY’s digital platforms, including social media and news.

“NYC Pride is grateful to have partners like RiseNY and Playbill uplifting LGBTQIA+ voices in such an iconic New York City setting,” said Matthew Şenız-Cheng, Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships of NYC Pride. “This celebration reminds us of the power of joy, community, and visibility – during Pride Month and beyond.”

Pictured Above: Anthony Rapp. Photo Credit: David Urbanke

The event will also include an online raffle held in conjunction with the concert, offering fans the chance to win exclusive Broadway merchandise, show tickets, and one-of-a-kind theatrical experiences, including

gone.

-2 Grandstand tickets to NYC Pride

-2 tickets to see WICKED on Broadway

-A virtual date with 7-time Emmy-nominated actress & comedian Nicole Byer

-$50 Planet Hollywood Gift Card

-Serendipity3 Gift Basket

-Playbill swag bag

-2 VIP Tickets to RiseNY

All proceeds from the raffle will benefit NYC Pride / Heritage of Pride, helping to support year-round programs that empower and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community. (Prizes and details will be announced next week.) To enter the raffle or for more information, please visit https://riseny.betterworld.org/giveaways/riseny

This vibrant celebration invites locals, tourists, and theatre fans alike to come together in a moment of unity and love, right where Broadway meets the world.

About RiseNY:
RiseNY is an immersive museum dedicated to showcasing the vibrant culture, history, and stories of New York City. Through cutting-edge technology and innovative storytelling, RiseNY provides visitors with an unforgettable journey through the heart of the city that never sleeps.

Media, influencers, and fans are invited to sing along and celebrate. This free concert promises music, community, and the kind of unforgettable Times Square moment that only New York City can deliver.