In the Memory & Spirit of Lena Horne

Lena Horne, a legendary singer and great beauty, was also a pioneering African-American performer who broke the color barrier by insisting that her contracts keep her from being cast in servile roles and by joining the Civil Rights Movement as a visible, leading, and inspiring figure. Tonight, Broadway icons Audra McDonald, Barbara Cook, and Billy Porter are joined by younger stars inspired by Horne — including Emmy Raver-Lampman (“Hamilton”), Lindsay Mendez (“Wicked”), Rebecca Naomi Jones (“American Idiot”), Telly Leung (“Glee,” “Godspell”), and Justin Guarini (“American Idol”), as well as choirs from VOICE Charter School and the Newark Boys Chorus School. Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, btwn. 94th and 95 Streets. Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $100-$500 at symphonyspace.org, with proceeds benefiting Schools That Can (schoolsthatcan.org), a nonprofit group that works to unite leaders to expand quality urban education and close the opportunity and skills gap.