The 2014 Gay Games Opening Ceremony now has even more sparkle with today’s announcement that stars Lance Bass, Broadway actress Andrea McArdle and the Pointer Sisters will join the spectacular event taking place August 9 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
“I’m very excited to have such a great lineup of artists joining our cast of more than 400 performers,” says Opening Ceremony Producer Patrick Roberge.“The Opening Ceremony will be a grand celebration that will set the tone for a fantastic Games.”
Singer, dancer, actor, producer and radio host Lance Bass will draw on his many talents as a celebrity guest in the 2.5-hour spectacular. Bass has transcended from his formative ‘N Sync roots into a versatile entertainer and high-profile advocate in the gay community. He’s competed on “Dancing with the Stars,” written the New York Times bestseller Out of Sync, and earned the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Role award. Now, Bass spends every weekday hosting “Dirty Pop with Lance Bass” on OutQ on Sirius XM.
Andrea McArdle portrayed the original Annie on Broadway, receiving a Tony nomination for her work. Since then, she has performed in dozens of well-known musicals, including “Evita,” “Cabaret,” “Gypsy,” “Grease” and “Les Miserables.” Appearing in cooperation with Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, McArdle will join the Gay Games Chorus in a celebration of music from Broadway.
They’ve helped close the Olympics, now the Pointer Sisters will help open the Gay Games. The legendary Ruth and Anita, joined by Ruth’s granddaughter, Sadako, will take the stage to wrap up Opening Ceremony with unbelievable energy. “With such great hits like, ‘Jump’ and ‘I’m So Excited,’ these singers will leave participants and spectators truly excited for all of Games Week,” said Michelle DeLozier, co-chair of the Culture Committee overseeing the Opening Ceremony.
Opening Ceremony Co-Chair Bill Guentzler said, “Opening Ceremony will be an experience like none other. We’re thrilled to have such great celebrity talent joining to celebrate the thousands of athletes and artists participating in the Games.”
Fellow Co-Chair John Garofalo concurred. “This certainly is a can’t-be-missed event—not just for Games participants but for thousands of Cleveland+Akron residents who want to be part of history and have a great time.”
For more information, connect with the 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation: 2014GayGames.com | @GG9Cleveland | Facebook.com/GayGamesCleveland