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β€œThe costs are rising and we’ve got this amazing roster of artists, their managers and their press representatives to deal with,” he says. β€œIt became this really, really epic project. But there was no turning back at that point.”

The result, β€œImpossible Dream,” features a who’s who of Broadway singing a host of inspirational songs with Lazar. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the ALS Network – something Lazar knows a little something about. Diagnosed more than two years ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disorder, Lazar has been a vocal advocate for others dealing with the disease. In addition to speaking around the country about his journey, he decided it could get more attention with a β€œWe Are the World”-like project.

β€œThe Impossible Dream,” a number from β€œMan of La Mancha” seemed like a natural, since it addressed Lazar’s life for the last few years. β€œWe got into the studio and I was like, β€˜Hold on. Why am I doing this? I don’t need to hear myself sing this song again,’” so he decided to break it into a series ofΒ performances and a huge chorus. The result is one of those stirring anthems that includes everyone from Kristin Chenoweth to Josh Groban to Lin-Manuel Miranda.

β€œFrom a logistical perspective, it was a juggernaut,” Lazar admits. Producers pulled everyone together and β€œpeople had 10-minute slots. Everybody was coming in from show rehearsals and lunch breaks. It was unbelievable.”

The result, he says, is a testament to the friendships that form on Broadway. β€œIt reminded me of my early years in the city, when you get into a room and it’s like you’re with your heroes, but you’re wearing sweatpants and you’re in a s----- rehearsal studio and there’s nothing but words on a page. It felt like old home week. It felt like a bunch of friends getting together to do what we do, which is pour our hearts and passion into things and take risks.”

For the 48-year-old star of shows like β€œLight in the Piazza,” β€œA Little Night Music” and β€œLes Miserables,” the project was a way to shift the focus from his disease.

β€œI live my life as a healthy person and I deal with the challenges that ALS may bring with as little time as you know it needs,” Lazar says. β€œI have to be patient and gentle with myself…the healing process from this is pretty unique. It’s not something I can fix by exercising my way out of it. It’s a delicate process…it’s a transformative journey of the soul and I’m very grateful and honored that while I’m on this journey, I can share it.”

While he had ALS as a wakeup call, others have other kinds of adversity they’re dealing with.

β€œThere’s powerΒ in not presuming thatΒ you know what anybody else might be going through or how they feel about it. I believe love ultimately heals everything and it has to come from within. We have to love ourselves in order to love each other. That’s been a journey. It sounds clichΓ© but it’s been anything but. It’s been an eye-opening, awakening of an experience.”

Before ALS, Lazar says, he didn’t know how to integrate situations. β€œThese impossible circumstances have the potential to be divine opportunities.”

While the father of two is still actingΒ and performing, he knows he doesn’t have the strength to do eight shows a week on a Broadway stage.

Other options – like the album – have opened.

When he was in his 20s, Lazar starred in a production of β€œMan of La Mancha” and remembers having an out-of-body experience when his character climbed a big staircase out of a dungeon prison. β€œThis big metal door shut behind me and the lights went out. The show was over and I burst into tears. I just had, for the first time in my life, an appreciation that I was doing what God had put me on the planet to do. I was sort of overwhelmed with awe and gratitude.”

Now, β€œThe Impossible Dream” is back in his life and giving him new purpose.

A second album? β€œI would love to,” the former β€œYellowstone” and β€œAvengers” star says. β€œIt’s like when you do guest star work on a television series and then you become a series regular and then you’re on set every day, in the trenches doing it. I love every minute of making it and I would love to make another one.”

The first album? β€œIt’s just naivete,” Lazar says. β€œIt’s just being an artist and having an idea and then people crazy enough to support me. I don’t think any of us had an idea what we were in for.”

β€œImpossible Dream” is now available online.