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Broadway stars release benefit single for Orlando victims

Broadway's biggest stars came together last week to record a new version of “What the World Needs Now is Love” with profits benefitting Orlando's LGBT community
Broadway stars come together for Orlando's LGBT community 02:40

NEW YORK -- For producer James Wesley and his husband, musician Seth Rudetsky, it was a no-brainer:

Re-cast a hit song of the 60's, "What the World Needs Now is Love," as a rallying cry against the terror of the Orlando massacre.

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producer James Wesley, left and his husband, musician Seth Rudetsky CBS News

In just two days, the pair corralled sixty of Broadway's biggest stars, like Carole King, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Audra McDonald, reports CBS News' Dr. Jon LaPook.

Crammed into a small New York studio, many recorded their parts before heading back to their own shows.

The proceeds go to help the night club victims, and the LGBT community in Orlando.

"You feel very alone when you are growing up gay, and if this young gay kid can hear this song and go, oh my God, these major stars, these beautiful artists are saying it's okay to be me, they can grow up with a sense of love and hope," Rudetsky said.

Orlando in healing: "I don't want to choose fear" 03:34

"So now people will be able to listen to the song, feel connected feel a sense of hope, feel maybe a little tinge of optimism that they haven't had in awhile," Wesley explained.

"You got love on this side, you got fear on this side," Dr. LaPook said.

"Well, love wins," Rudetsky told him. "It always does. That's the thing. It always does."

The benefit single recording of "What the World Needs Now is Love," made with help from Broadway Records, is available here and on iTunes.

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