Emmy and Tony nominee Amber Ruffin and RuPaul’s Drag Race season 16 star Plasma will host a benefit cabaret, Instead of Eurovision, May 16 at 3 PM at The Green Room 42 in Manhattan. The afternoon will also stream live.
Occurring at the same time as the live finals of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, Instead of Eurovision will parody the Eurovision format by showcasing new, original songs from fictional countries written by theatre composers and performed by Broadway artists to be announced.
Attendees can expect to hear new songs from composers Ari Afsar, Cheeyang Ng, Fouad Dakwar, Jake Schroeder, Joe Iconis, Joriah Kwamé, Julian Hornik, Rona Siddiqui, and Zeniba Now.
Ruffin said in a statement, “I am so excited to bring you our own version of everyone’s favorite annual tradition! Instead of Eurovision will bring you all the fun of the actual event except our songs will be ridiculous on purpose!”
Emmy, Tony, and WGA Award nominee Ruffin is a writer and performer
for Late Night With Seth Meyers and Have I Got News for You. She
has also written and performed on The Amber Ruffin
Show, Detroiters, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and Drunk History. Her work as a librettist includes Broadway’s Some Like It Hot and the recent revival of The Wiz. She also co-wrote the book and music for Off-Broadway’s BIGFOOT!
Produced by Benson Drive Productions, net proceeds will be donated to Broadway Cares.
Tickets are available
starting at $25 with no food or beverage minimum. Tickets, live-stream
tickets, and more information are available at TheGreenRoom42.com.