Actress Rebecca Luker is one of Broadway’s brightest lights, having played roles like Marian in “The Music Man,” Maria in “The Sound of Music,” Lily in “The Secret Garden” and the list goes on and on.

Now the three-time Tony-nominated leading lady is leading a fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS. Luker was diagnosed with ALS last year, a disease that affects the nervous system.

When you got that news on that day, what went through your mind?

“Oh my God. Just, you know, crushing disappointment, you know? And fear, you know? But I truly believe in my heart, that it’s, that it's temporary,” said Luker.

Right before the coronavirus shut down in New York City, NY1 was in the audience at off-Broadway’s York Theatre for Rebecca’s most recent in-person performance.

"You know, it's hard to sing. I have to push myself up on my wheelchair arms to get a good breath. I have no support, no diaphragm anymore, you know? So I'm not quite sure how I'm singing to tell you the truth,” said Luker.

Luker's husband, actor Danny Burstein is her rock of support, helping her to get through her day. But in the Spring, Danny was hospitalized with coronavirus.

Danny, what was it like being in the hospital and knowing that Rebecca was at home fighting ALS?

"Well you know, you feel like you're abdicating your responsibilities, and thank God my son Zach was there and thank God we had friends,” said Burstein.

Luker and her husband are helping raise awareness and funds for a new drug called Prosetin, which is being supported by Project ALS. Luker is hoping to begin a clinical trial of the drug in August.

Rebecca – what gives you hope?

"All the people that are working on a cure for this disease, my husband, my family, my friends. They help, they help, you know, prop me up and keep me going. And, um, I just have hope,” said Luker.

If you would like to learn more and donate to Project ALS head to ProjectALS.org.