By Leslie Albrecht
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — Broadway stars put their vocal talents to good use Monday at the fifth annual "Broadway Sings for Toys" concert at Symphony Space.
The benefit performance helped raise money and collect toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program, a nationwide holiday tradition that collects brand new toys for needy children.
A portion of the ticket proceeds from the show went to Toys for Tots, and ticketholders were required to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event.
Performers included Matt Doyle, who starred in "Spring Awakening," Liz Callaway, who was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in "Baby," and Elizabeth Stanley of "Million Dollar Quartet."
Doyle, who's also appeared in TV's "Gossip Girl" and was recently cast in the upcoming play "War Horse," said he was "thrilled" to participate in Monday's concert.
"I can't believe I'm on stage with the performers here tonight, but also Toys for Tots is an excellent organization and I'm so glad to be a part of it," Doyle said.
Also on hand were two U.S. Marines, Sgt. Manny Roman and Sgt. John Johnson, who volunteer for the Toys for Tots program. Both Roman and Johnson have served in Iraq.
Johnson, 28, said he wanted to help Toys for Tots because he received a toy, a Transformer action figure, from the program when he was a kid growing up in Dallas.
"It's a good program," Johnson said. "Now it's come full circle and I feel like I've got to do my part to give back."
