Debra Messing Reveals Her 'Greatest Hope' for Bombshell in Concert and Smash Reunion

Debra Messing says she hopes reuniting with her Smash costars for the virtual one-night-only streaming event Bombshell in Concert will help raise funds while also providing some fun.

The event features the sold-out live performance of Bombshell in Concert that was originally on Broadway at the Minskoff Theater in New York City in 2015, as well as a cast reunion at intermission.

The concert, featuring songs from the NBC series Smash, and reunion will stream Wednesday beginning at 8 p.m. ET, exclusively on PEOPLE.com, PeopleTV and PEOPLE social platforms (Facebook and Twitter) and benefit The Actors Fund, which has been helping artists in need amid the coronavirus crisis. (Follow along with the hashtag #BombshellInConcert.)

"The original Broadway performance was a huge success," says Messing, 51. "There were thousands of people who could not get tickets and it sold out. Our producers contacted us and said, ‘Let's air it, include live interviews from the cast via Zoom and raise money for COVID relief.' "

• For more on Debra Messing, pick up this week's issue of PEOPLE on newsstands Friday

The performance will be introduced by two-time Academy Award winner Renée Zellweger. During intermission, Julie Klausner of Difficult People will host a live reunion with the show's original cast members including Christian Borle, Jaime Cepero, Will Chase, Brian d'Arcy James, Jack Davenport, Ann Harada, Megan Hilty, Jeremy Jordan, Katharine McPhee, Andy Mientus, Leslie Odom Jr., Krysta Rodriguez, and Wesley Taylor.

"The Actor’s Fund is a national human services organization that meets the need of the entire entertainment community that includes all professionals, not just actors, in film, television, theater, music, opera, radio and dance," says Messing. "They provide help for affordable housing, training services, emergency financial assistance, health care, mental health support and more. It really is an extraordinary organization."

Besides raising money, Messing says she hopes the event also offers a little respite during these tough times.

"My greatest hope is that we raise a ton of money to help everyone who is suffering as a result of COVID-19," says Messing. "But I also hope we uplift people. These are actors, singers and dancers who are regularly on Broadway. It’s that caliber of performers and it will be a lot of fun."

To donate, visit ActorsFund.org.

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments and visit our coronavirus hub.