Star-Studded Broadway Event to Pay Tribute to World AIDS Day

Good news for Broadway fans — and the fight against HIV. Remember the Ribbon: A Tribute to World AIDS Day is back for another year after enjoying enormous success its first time around in 2020.

Last year's celebration began with Playbill’s Storytellers, a four-part series created to commemorate World AIDS Day. The series featured some of Broadway’s brightest stars, including Hamilton leading man Javier Muñoz, The Color Purple’s Rema Webb, and playwright Donja R. Love (also one of Plus magazine’s People of the Year).

The event also broadcast its first Remember the Ribbon: A Tribute to World AIDS Day concert, as well put out a call to action for donations to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Aisha Jackson, Douglas Lyons, Helen White, and Nasia Thomas performed the original song “The Test of Time,” written by musical duo Lyons and Pakchar.

This year, Playbill is bringing the event back, with support from their premier sponsor, Gilead, with plans to “up the experience” by making it into a live and virtual hybrid event held at Sony Hall on Sunday, November 21.  

Once again funds raised will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, an organization that has helped people across the country receive lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling, and emergency financial assistance. Since 1988, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people living with HIV.

This year’s festivities will be hosted by television journalist and HIV activist Karl Schmid, and special guests will include stage icons Charles Busch, Judith Light, and Tom Judson. Muñoz and Webb will once again take part, along with fellow guest speakers and performers Hernando Umana, Alan Menken, Tom Kirdahy, Lena Hall, and Corey Mach.

If you aren’t one of the lucky few to be invited to the live event, Playbill will be streaming it on its website and YouTube pages from December 1-3 with a donate button for Broadway Cares available for viewers.