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Culture March 17, 2020

Broadway stars sing to raise support for furloughed actors with hand-washing challenge on social media

WATCH: Broadway actors take part in viral hand-washing challenge

Broadway stars are taking the stage, virtually, to raise awareness for the countless members of the theater community hit hard by venue closures and show cancellations brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

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For so many across the nation, no shows means no paychecks.

The #BWayHandWashChallenge calls for Broadway stars to choose a theater charity, sing a show tune while washing their hands for 20 seconds (the recommended amount of time suggested by the CDC), and then nominate three other members of the Broadway community to do it next. "It's like the 'Ice Bucket Challenge' but with warmer water," according to Theater Mania, a source for theater listings and tickets, which launched the challenge.

Many of the performers are calling on people to support the Actors Fund, an organization that provides emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care, insurance counseling, senior care and more to members of the performing arts community. Founded in 1882, the Actors Fund serves not just actors, but anyone in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio and dance, through programs that address the community's unique and essential needs. The organization has been pivotal in assisting the performing arts community in dire situations like this one.

Lauren Patten

I'm doing @TheaterMania’s #bwayhandwashchallenge for @TheActorsFund and I nominate: @celiargooding, @JelaniAlladin & @Karenolivo! Wash those hands y’all!! pic.twitter.com/M5RRLtQREB

— Lauren Patten (@PattenLauren) March 17, 2020

Jelani Alladin

Thanks @PattenLauren for the @theatermania #bwayhandwashchallenge in support of @TheActorsFund I nom @HaileyKilgore @aanavee and @alexgibby pic.twitter.com/bG6seWzeCT

— JelaniAlladin (@JelaniAlladin) March 17, 2020

Shereen Pimentel

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Missing broadway and the theater community so much, so I took a break from binging Harry Potter to do @theatermania ‘s #bwayhandwashchallenge for the Actors Fund and I nominate @isaaccolepowell , @christiandante and @andrewbfeldman_

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James H. Iglehart

I’m taking the @theatermania #Broadwayhandwashchallenge (yeah I said it wrong in the video) for @BCEFA! Please donate! I nominate @NikkyWalks & @fergsters95! #MusicOfTheNight #IWillBePhantomSomeday! pic.twitter.com/ia0u9b9qLj

— james m. iglehart (@jamesmiglehart) March 17, 2020

Montego Glover

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I’m doing @theatermania’s #bwayhandwashchallenge for @theactorsfund. And I nominate: @jessetyler @finkeboutit @derrick.baskin

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Bonnie Milligan

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I'm doing @theatermania ‘s #bwayhandwashchallenge for @theactorsfund The challenge was to sing 20 seconds of a fave musical theatre song while washing my hands and raising awareness. I may not be a dancer, but one of my all time fave show tunes has always been “At the Ballet” from A CHORUS LINE 🥰 I nominate: @jeremykushnier @officialdonnamurphy & @mattfdoyle

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Stephanie J. Block

Let’s raise some money with @theatermania. Choose a charity (@TheActorsFund, @BCEFA, etc.), wash, sing, nominate, and post to pass along. @LeslieKritzer @WesTayTay #GavinLee, you’re up. 🤲🏼🚰🧼🙌🏻 #BroadwayHandwashingChallenge pic.twitter.com/IhHUta3nvL

— Stephanie J. Block (@StephanieJBlock) March 17, 2020

Lesli Margherita

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I’m doing @theatermania ‘s #broadwayhandwashchallenge for @bcefa and I nominate @arianadebose @jmiglehart and @thejamessnyder ! cc: my 💖 @matildabroadway @timminchin

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Carly Hughes

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Hey lovebugs! 🐞 Let’s raise some awareness & money w/ @theatermania & the #bwayhandwashchallenge ❤️ Choose a charity organization (@theactorsfund #nationalblacktheater @bcefa @TDF etc...) Wash & sing, nominate, post and pass it along. Keepin’ it clean y’all!! Boop! 💋 I nominate @vanderjames @sarahhyland @patinamiller 👏🏾🚰🧼 🙌🏾

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Stephanie Styles

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🧼 hey y’all! I’m joining @TheaterMania in doing their #bwayhandwashchallenge. ✨ it’s a challenge that seeks to bring awareness and support for the many artists and theaters across the country affected by the closings and not-for-profit theaters or theatrical organizations! I donated to @theactorsfund and I nominate three of my favorites @kathryngallagher @thealexnewell and @corbinbleu !! 🎭

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Alyssa May Gold

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I'm doing @TheaterMania's #bwayhandwashchallenge for @theactorsfund and I nominate the rest of the OG @druglordplay girl gang: @chickencarm123 #RebeccaJimenez & @likal0v3 🔮💜🤗

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Claire McConnell

I’m taking the @theatermania #bwayhandwashchallenge for @TheActorsFund! I’m nominating @JorrelFromWork @calstraw53 and @bethanysimpsonn! ✨

Happy handwashing! Thanks @StephanieJBlock for introducing me to the challenge! pic.twitter.com/Na6FqV0Q5A

— Claire McConnell (@claire_mccon) March 17, 2020

Elizabeth Stanley

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🌞good morning🌞 how is everyone doing? I’m a little blue today, TBH. But I'm doing @TheaterMania's #bwayhandwashchallenge for @theactorsfund and I nominate: @singingwater @maxizpad @cameronadamsnyc Here’s to washing the blues away? 🧼🧼🧼🧼🧼

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Caitlin Kinnunen

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Hello lovelies!! I'm doing @TheaterMania's #bwayhandwashchallenge for @theactorsfund and I nominate: @jessicavosk @izzymccalla and @ktladner 👏👏👏

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Jay Armstrong Johnson

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Teaming up with @theatermania to bring you the #bwayhandwashchallenge. Wash your hands and support theater artists. Donate to the @theactorsfund. (Link in my bio) 🦠🧼🎭 I nominate @alyshaumphress, @ladyemilywalton, and @taylorimanjones

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