Lea Michele, Leslie Odom Jr., Jane Krakowski and More Broadway Stars Strike a Pose at 2026 Miscast Gala (Exclusive Photos)

Staff AuthorWed, April 29, 2026 at 7:45 PM UTC

0

Lea Michele, Leslie Odom Jr. and Jane Krakowski at Miscast26Credit: Jenny Anderson (3) -

MCC Theater’s Miscast gala features stars performing songs from roles they wouldn’t traditionally be cast in

The 2026 event honored producers Roy and Jill Furman and artist Jose Useche while raising funds for MCC programs

Fans can stream Miscast26 for free starting May 12 with on-demand access available through May 19

Broadway’s most joyfully unpredictable tradition returned in style this year.

Every spring, MCC Theater’s annual Miscast gala gives stars of stage and screen the chance to defy expectations, performing songs from roles they’d never traditionally be cast in.

The one-night-only event has become one of New York City’s hottest tickets over the past 25 years, known for its starry talent and surprising numbers — many of which have become viral sensations over the years (see Jinkx Monsoon's one-woman "One Day More" from Les Misérables, Aaron Tveit and Gavin Creel doing "Take Me or Leave Me" from Rent, or Jonathan Groff's recreation of Sutton Foster's iconic tap number in Anything Goes as proof).

This year was no different. Held at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Monday, April 27, Miscast 2026 brought out a slew of the industry's biggest names, including Lea Michele, Leslie Odom Jr., Jane Krakowski, Nicholas Christopher, Raúl Esparza, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Tramell Tillman, Brandon Uranowitz, Shaina Taub, Nikki M. James, Jessica Vosk, Javier Muñoz, Ruthie Ann Miles and more.

Photographer Jenny Anderson captured the evening’s performers backstage in an elegant portrait studio — pictures from which PEOPLE can exclusively premiere. Not photographed were performers Darren Criss and Marla Mindelle, who also appeared during the evening.

Miscast honorees Jill Furman and Roy Furman (center) with (left to right) Blake West, Will Cantler and Bernie TelseyCredit: Jenny Anderson

This year’s event honored producers Roy Furman and Jill Furman, along with MCC Youth Company alum and artist Jose Useche.

The gala also drew starring audience members including Pink, Adrien Brody, Don Cheadle, Ayo Edebiri, Ana Gasteyer, Jelani Alladin, Hannah Cruz, Jen Collela and more.

Funds raised from Miscast26 support MCC Theater’s Off-Broadway productions, its Youth Company and education programs for New York City high school students, as well as the organization’s literary development work with emerging playwrights.

Miscast honoree Jose UsecheCredit: Jenny Anderson

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Fans around the world can also watch Miscast26 for free when the digital broadcast premieres Tuesday, May 12 (at 7 p.m. ET). The stream will remain available on demand through May 19 with a complimentary ticket reservation.

See PEOPLE’s exclusive Miscast26 portraits below:

01 of 22

LJ Benet

LJ Benet, of 'The Lost Boys,' at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

02 of 22

Ali Louis Bourzgui

'The Lost Boys' breakout Ali Louis Bourzgui at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

03 of 22

Sara Chase and Alex Brightman

'Schmigadoon!' stars Sara Chase and Alex Brightman at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

04 of 22

Nicholas Christopher

'Chess' star Nicholas Christopher at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

05 of 22

Raúl Esparza

Stage veteran Raúl Esparza at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

06 of 22

Advertisement

Ana Gasteyer

'Saturday Night Live' alum Ana Gasteyer, now on stage in 'Schmigadoon!,' at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

07 of 22

Nikki M. James

Tony Award winner Nikki M. James at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

08 of 22

Jane Krakowski

Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

09 of 22

Zhailon Levingston

'CATS: The Jellicle Ball' director Zhailon Levingston at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

10 of 22

Caissie Levy

'Ragtime' "mother" Caissie Levy at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

11 of 22

Lea Michele

Lea Michele, from 'Chess,' at Miscast 26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

12 of 22

Ruthie Ann Miles

Tony Award winner Ruthie Ann Miles at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

13 of 22

Brian Stokes Mitchell

Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

14 of 22

Javier Muñoz

Stage star Javier Muñoz at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

15 of 22

Leslie Odom Jr.

Tony Award winner Leslie Odom Jr. at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

16 of 22

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

'The Rocky Horror Show' star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

17 of 22

Emma Sofia

'CATS: The Jellicle Ball' breakout Emma Sofia at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

18 of 22

Shaina Taub, Hannah Cruz, and Jen Collela

Shaina Taub, 'Chess' star Hannah Cruz and Jen Collela at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

19 of 22

Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts

'Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)" stars Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

20 of 22

The Rescues: Adrianne Gonzalez, Gabriel Mann, and Kyler England

'The Lost Boys' composers Adrianne Gonzalez, Gabriel Mann and Kyler England (of The Rescues) at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

21 of 22

Brandon Uranowitz

Brandon Uranowitz (of 'Ragtime') at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

22 of 22

Jessica Vosk

'Beaches' star Jessica Vosk at Miscast26 on April 27, 2026Credit: Jenny Anderson

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”