Broadway veteran Aaron Lazar, diagnosed with ALS in January 2022, has brought together nearly 80 stars from across the entertainment industry to create a powerful cover of “The Impossible Dream.” The song is the highlight of his debut album, *Impossible Dream*, which was released on August 23. PEOPLE magazine has an exclusive first look at the music video for the single, recorded on June 13 in New York City.
The video and album feature performances by numerous well-known figures, including Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Kelli O’Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and many others. The project also features a special appearance by rock legend Sting, who composed the score for the Broadway musical *The Last Ship*, in which Lazar starred. Backing the soloists is a choir made up of Lazar’s close friends, family, and several other familiar faces, such as Michael Berresse, Jeff Bowen, Corey Cott, and Jessica Phillips.
Lazar expressed his amazement at the collaboration, saying, “It’s incredible, isn’t it? How many times in life do you get to be in the room with so many people you care about? I feel so lucky to call these people friends, and honored that they all generously agreed to lend their voices to this project designed to give hope to so many others. It’s just a gift.”
The song “The Impossible Dream” holds special significance for Lazar, who has embraced it as his personal anthem in his battle with ALS. Originally from the 1965 musical *The Man of La Mancha*, the song resonates deeply with Lazar as he fights to heal from the disease. “I’ve learned a lot over the last couple of years through some unimaginable adversity, and one of the things I’ve learned is how much love there is in my life that is just beyond,” Lazar shared. “We are doing something that not just helps me heal, but as I’ve started to share my story, we are helping raise awareness to end this terrible disease and help other people live their impossible dreams.”
In addition to the recording of “The Impossible Dream,” Lazar’s album includes collaborations with many of the featured soloists. The nine-track album also features performances by the National Children’s Chorus and the Broadway Inspirational Voices. One particularly special track is a duet with the late Rebecca Luker, who passed away at age 59 in 2020, just 10 months after her own ALS diagnosis.
A portion of the album’s proceeds will go to the ALS Network, an organization dedicated to providing quality care and support for those living with ALS, as well as funding research to discover prevention strategies, treatments, and cures for the disease. Lazar first announced his album on June 14, a day after the group recording session, and emphasized that the album is a “testament to the power of love and community.” He expressed deep gratitude for the chance to collaborate with such extraordinary artists and friends, and his hope that sharing his story would raise awareness and help end ALS.
Recording an album had not been part of Lazar’s original plans, but the idea came to life after PEOPLE helped share his story in February. Shortly afterward, his friend Jonathan Estabrooks at Emitha Studios reached out with the idea of making an album. Lazar, who had never done an album of his own, was inspired by the suggestion. “I just had this idea to make something with inspirational songs that are full of love, hope, and healing,” he explained. With this vision, Lazar and his collaborators began to bring the project to life, resulting in a deeply meaningful collection of music.
