New York City’s theatrical community is once again preparing to trade traditional playbills for spellbooks, broomsticks, and high-energy choreography. I Put a Spell on You, widely celebrated as Broadway’s biggest and most extravagant Halloween party, is officially returning to Manhattan’s historic Webster Hall for its milestone 11th annual presentation. Following a record-shattering 10th-anniversary celebration last year, this year’s iteration—officially titled A Sanderson Sister Act—promises to elevate the production values, star power, and community impact to unprecedented heights.
Scheduled for October 12, the Hocus Pocus-inspired concert event is more than just a festive seasonal spectacle; it is a cultural anchor for New York’s theater district, channeling the immense talents of Broadway’s finest performers into a vital philanthropic mission. Once again, all proceeds from the live event and its subsequent streaming release will directly benefit the Ali Forney Center (AFC), the nation’s leading full-service organization dedicated to supporting and protecting LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness.
Conceived, produced, and headlined by Broadway veteran Jay Armstrong Johnson (Parade, The Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge!), I Put a Spell on You has evolved over the past decade from an underground passion project into a massive, highly anticipated fixture of the autumn cultural calendar. Featuring a sprawling company of seasoned Broadway actors, dynamic dancers, drag luminaries, and creative powerhouses, A Sanderson Sister Act stands ready to deliver an unforgettable evening of music, mischief, and unapologetic queer joy.
Detailed Chronology: The Evolution of a Phenomenon
From Cult Classic to Mainstream Broadway Benefactor
The genesis of I Put a Spell on You is rooted in a shared love for Kenny Ortega’s 1993 cult-classic Disney film Hocus Pocus, which immortalized Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker as the infamous Sanderson sisters. What began years ago as a localized performance tribute has steadily ballooned into a massive theatrical undertaking, requiring months of meticulous planning, vast technical coordination, and the collaboration of hundreds of theater professionals.
Following the historic momentum of 2025’s landmark 10th-anniversary production—which shattered all previous fundraising records for the event—the creative team faced the enviable challenge of raising the bar even higher. The decision to subtitle this year’s presentation A Sanderson Sister Act hints at a narrative expansion, blending the iconic cinematic source material with fresh theatrical twists, contemporary pop culture references, and show-stopping musical arrangements.
The 2025–2026 Production Timeline
- Mid-Summer: Finalization of the massive creative team, casting announcements, and the structural coordination of hundreds of ensemble members, choreographers, and technical crew.
- October 12: The live, one-night-only spectacular takes over Manhattan’s Webster Hall, featuring full-scale musical numbers, intricate choreography, custom-built costumes, and state-of-the-art special effects.
- Late October: For fans unable to attend the packed live event in Manhattan, A Sanderson Sister Act will be packaged and broadcast via a limited-time virtual stream, extending the fundraising window for the Ali Forney Center. Exact streaming dates and access details will be announced later in the month.
Supporting Context & Metrics: Powering Real Change Through Art
While the theatrical community gathers to celebrate the magic of Halloween, the underlying motivation of I Put a Spell on You has always been deeply anchored in real-world advocacy. The partnership between the production and the Ali Forney Center represents a powerful intersection of art and social responsibility.
The Impact of Last Year’s Milestone
The financial success of the 2024 and 2025 iterations of the concert shifted from impressive to transformative. Last year’s performance alone raised an astounding $345,000+. Crucially, these funds provided the financial bedrock that enabled the Ali Forney Center to achieve a historic organizational milestone: purchasing its first-ever permanent shelter.
Named Casa Cecilia in honor of the late, beloved transgender activist Cecilia Gentili, this newly established facility in Harlem has officially opened its doors, providing a safe, stable, and affirming environment for vulnerable LGBTQIA+ youth. The tangible success of Casa Cecilia serves as proof of concept for what the Broadway community can achieve when it rallies around a shared humanitarian goal.
Financial Tiers and VIP Access
To match the soaring ambitions of this year’s event, organizers have structured various avenues for major donors and corporate sponsors to contribute. VIP sponsorship packages—ranging from $1,000 to $50,000—are currently available for purchase. All ticket and sponsorship purchases directly benefit the Ali Forney Center and are tax-deductible (prior to standard service fees).
Official Statements: Voices from the Creative Vanguard
At the heart of the production is its visionary creator and executive producer, Jay Armstrong Johnson, whose dedication to the project has sustained its growth over more than ten years. Reflecting on the significance of this year’s milestone, Johnson shared a deeply personal perspective:
"Our team at I Put a Spell on You is thrilled to deepen our partnership with the AFC for a fourth year as we create even more magic, music, and mischief—celebrating community, identity, and the unapologetic queer joy of Halloween. Protecting queer youth, in today’s climate especially, feels more necessary and timely than ever. I’m filled with even deeper gratitude, pride, and awe for the community that has made this spellbinding tradition possible for over a decade."
The sentiment is echoed by the sprawling network of artists, directors, and designers who donate their time and extraordinary talents to ensure the production’s success. The deliberate choice to anchor the event in themes of queer joy and community resilience resonates profoundly within an industry that continues to navigate complex social and political landscapes.
Future Outlook: Cast, Crew, and the Road Ahead
The sheer scale of A Sanderson Sister Act requires an organizational apparatus rivaling many major Broadway musicals.
The Principal Cast
Stepping once again into the iconic roles of the Salem witches, Jay Armstrong Johnson returns as the ambitious and theatrical Winifred Sanderson. He is joined by Allison Godleski as the alluring Sarah Sanderson, with Sydnie Roy rounding out the iconic trio by stepping into the role of Mary Sanderson. They are joined by returning favorites Stacey Badgett Jr., Maddox Martin, and Kathryn Priest.
Star-Studded Guest Performances
The evening will showcase a powerhouse lineup of Broadway royalty and downtown icons, featuring Tony nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play), along with Anania (The Rocky Horror Show), Stephen Brower (Lempicka), Jonathan Burke (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), DeMarius R. Copes (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Jules Geiss, Chance Hoover, Dava Huesca (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), Olivia Lux (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Isabelle McCalla (Schmigadoon!), Jimin Moon (The Rocky Horror Show), Blaine Petrovia, Hannah Solow (Oh, Mary!), Bethany Tesarck (Death Becomes Her), Jeanna de Waal (Sweeney Todd), Garnet Williams (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), and Teddy Wilson Jr. (Cats: The Jellicle Ball).
Adding an authentic New York nightlife flavor to the proceedings, the evening will also feature renowned NYC drag queens Reese Havoc, Hanukah Lewinsky, and Chelsea Piers, alongside a series of surprise guest appearances delivered via video.
The Massive Ensemble and Choreography Team
Behind the principals stands a gargantuan ensemble of nearly 100 performers, ensuring that Webster Hall will be bursting with theatrical energy from wall to wall. The stage movement and narrative pacing are driven by an elite choreography collective led by Chip Abbott, Elias Alfau, Quincy Ellis, Cam Gradel, Dava Huesca, Michael McCrary, Arianne Meneses, Alex Mitchell, Justice Moore, Isaiah Silvia-Chandley, Sissa Strain, Michael Anthony Sylvester, and Renell Taylor, supported by an extensive roster of associate and assistant choreographers.
Production and Creative Leadership
The artistic execution of A Sanderson Sister Act is guided by co-directors Heath Saunders and Mack Brown, working from a book by M Sloth Levine, with additional writing and direction by Daniel Leeman Smith and Josephine Tarrant (with support from Safe Harbors NYC).
Production oversight is managed by Andy Jones of Baseline Theatrical, alongside producers Shannon Molly Flynn and Joe Hornberger. Co-production management is handled by Sean Gorski of Hudson Theatrical Associates and Sean McGrath.
The design and technical departments feature a murderers’ row of Broadway talent:
- Creative Director & Founding Designer: DW
- Music Supervisor: Jackson Teeley
- Music Consultant: Will Van Dyke
- Director of Hair and Makeup: Kyle Krueger (with associate Christina Vida Roldos)
- Production Stage Manager: Caroline Pastore
- Lighting Designer: Andrew Garvis
- Scenic Designer: Joshua Warner
- Sound Designer: Jaechelle Johnson
- Props Supervisor: Andy Diaz
- Video Supervisor: Brian Pacelli
- Director of Media & Graphic Design: Kat Wright
Furthermore, a dedicated army of costume designers—including John Beltre, Thomas Gluodenis, AC Gottlieb, Brian Hemesath, Hunter Kaczorowski, Miss Indigo Leigh, Vanessa Leuck, James Nguyen, Maddie Peterson, Brenda Phelps, Athena Randall, Filippa Sandlin, Steven Smith, and Julia Squier—alongside specialized hair, makeup, and SFX supervisors, ensures that the visual transformation of Webster Hall will match the cinematic grandeur of the original film.
Looking Forward
As ticket sales surge and anticipation reaches a fever pitch, I Put a Spell on You: A Sanderson Sister Act stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when artistic brilliance meets deep-rooted compassion. By transforming a beloved holiday movie into a vehicle for real social change, the creators, cast, and crew have built a sustainable institution that will continue to shelter, uplift, and protect New York’s most vulnerable youth for years to come.
For more information, tickets, and VIP packages, visit SpellOnYouNYC.com. To learn more about the vital work of the Ali Forney Center, visit AliForneyCenter.org.
