JAY ARMSTRONG JOHNSON’S “I PUT A SPELL ON YOU” RETURNS MONDAY, OCTOBER 12 FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

by DKC/O&M, June 12, 2026

Press Contacts
Rick Miramontez / Abby Kelley
rick@omdkc.com / abby@omdkc.com
212 695 7400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

THE WITCHES ARE BACK!

JAY ARMSTRONG JOHNSON’S
“I PUT A SPELL ON YOU”
RETURNS TO WEBSTER HALL FOR
“A SANDERSON SISTER ACT”

ONE NIGHT ONLY BENEFITTING
THE ALI FORNEY CENTER

To download photo by Shawn Salley, click here.

New York, NY (June 12, 2026) – Producers Jay Armstrong Johnson, Joe Hornberger, and Shannon Molly Flynn announced today that I Put A Spell On You, Broadway’s biggest Halloween party, will return to Manhattan’s Webster Hall on Monday, October 12. The Hocus Pocus-inspired concert from Johnson is celebrating its 11^th year, following 2025’s record-breaking event.

This year’s iteration, dubbed “A Sanderson Sister Act,” once again benefits the Ali Forney Center, the nation’s leading full-service organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness. Last year’s “The 10th Anniversary” raised more than $345,000 and helped the AFC achieve the historic milestone of purchasing their first permanent shelter, Casa Cecilia, named in honor of the late transgender activist Cecilia Gentili. The shelter has since opened in Harlem.

Armstrong said in a statement, “Our team at I Put a Spell on You is thrilled to deepen our partnership with the AFC for a fourth year as we conjure 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. Come, we fly!”

Armstrong (Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody, Parade, The Phantom of the Opera) will once again headline the evening as the cult classic film’s head witch in charge, Winifred Sanderson. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

Sean Gorski (Hudson Theatrical Associates) continues as the event’s production technical supervisor with returning DW (Creative Director), Michael Anthony Sylvester (Supervising Choreographer), Kyle Krueger (Makeup Designer), and Jackson Teeley (Music Supervisor). The benefit will be directed by Heath Saunders (Company, Great Comet…), and Mack Brown, and written by Armstrong, Saunders, Brown, and Sloth Levine. Full creative team and company to be announced soon.

Bringing the evening to life alongside Johnson as Executive Producer, are producers Shannon Molly Flynn (Normal Ave), and Joe Hornberger III (CATS: The Jellicle Ball), with producing oversight from Andy Jones (Baseline Theatrical.)

A B O U T T H E S H O W

Created in 2016 as “Jay’s Not So Scary Halloween Party,” the event has grown from beginnings at 54 Below to viral iterations attended and streamed by tens of thousands worldwide. “A Sanderson Sister Act” marks their third year at Webster Hall and the fourth benefiting the AFC.

Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker famously starred in the original 1993 Disney film Hocus Pocus.

General tickets will go on sale in September, while VIP sponsorship packages are currently available by emailing Travis Shumake, AFC’s Major Gifts Officer and Interim Special Events Manager (TShumake@AliForneyCenter.org). VIP packages range from $1,000 to $50,000. All ticket purchases benefit the Ali Forney Center and are tax deductible before additional service fees.

For more information, visit SpellOnYouNYC.com and follow @IPutaSpellonYouNYC on Instagram.

A B O U T T H E A L I F O R N E Y C E N T E R The Ali Forney Center was founded in 2002 in memory of Ali Forney, a homeless gender-nonconforming youth who was forced to live on the streets, where they were tragically murdered. Committed to saving the lives of LGBTQ+ and at-risk young people, our mission is to protect them from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently.

A 24-hour program, The Ali Forney Center never closes its doors. We provide more than just a bed and food for those in need — from initial intake at our drop-in center to transitional housing and job readiness training, we provide homeless LGBTQ+ and at-risk youth a safe, warm, supportive environment to escape the streets.

From our leadership and staff to our youth counselors, we are all committed to helping provide stability, healing, trust and education to young adults so they can ultimately live independently.

To learn more about The Ali Forney Center and their vital work, please visit https://www.aliforneycenter.org/. @aliforneycenter

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Every day is opening night.

JAY ARMSTRONG JOHNSON’S “I PUT A SPELL ON YOU” RETURNS MONDAY, OCTOBER 12 FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY