Curtain Up Broadway Festival,
a free event in Times Square with performances, sing-alongs, a block party, and more. Theatre fans in NYC will have opportunities to see some of their favorite Broadway stars and shows perform in the heart of the theatre district (at Duffy Square - where the TKTS booth is and the red stairs/bleacher seats are. W 47th St & Broadway,) throughout the weekend. Schedule below.
The event started today. Here is a portion of the Opening event today. (Someone recorded the first hour and a half!) TONY Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning
A Strange Loop cast members
John-Andrew Morrison and
James Jackson Jr. Performances by Broadway Stars
Norm Lewis (The Phantom of the Opera), Brittney Johnson (
Wicked) and
Kerry Butler (
Beetlejuice), under the direction of music director
James Sampliner.
Other performances:
Hercules:
The rest of the schedule:
SATURDAY OCTOBER 1
10:30-11:15AM – Ailey’s Revelations dance workshop
Everyone can dance with
Ailey! Join the processional through Duffy Square as Ailey’s West African drummers and dancers lead New Yorkers of all ages to the
Curtain Up Main Stage, where you’ll learn modified excerpts of Alvin Ailey’s masterwork,
Revelations. Participants are asked to wear comfy clothing.
1:00-1:30PM – Playbill: The Game Show LIVE!
Join us in Times Square as Broadway Stars as they take part in the first-ever live
Playbill: The Game Show - where theatre’s brightest stars prove how much they know about Broadway! Written by
Aaron Fuksa and produced by
Roberto Araujo, watch as Broadway participants
Julia Murney (
Wicked),
Nic Rouleau (
The Book of Mormon),
Shereen Pimentel (
West Side Story) test their knowledge of all-things Broadway in a fun and fast-paced game, hosted by
Christopher Sieber (
Company), with
Nicholas Connell on piano.
3:00-3:45PM – Audible Theater presents Jason Gotay on StageJason Gotay takes the stage and sings selections from his Audible Original,
Where You’ll Find Me, a musical narrative that honors the strong and dynamic women in his life with musicians
Garrett Taylor (keys/music direction),
Matt Hinkley (Guitar),
Alan Stevens Hewitt (Bass) and
Jeremy Yaddaw (drums). Jason’s show coincides with
Curtain Up Broadway Festival and is playing at the Minetta Lane Theatre September 30—October 2. The Audible Theater performance, recorded live, will be available to stream on Audible later this year.
5:00-6:30PM – “One Night Only” – A Benefit Concert for The Entertainment Community Fund
Join stage stars and celebrities for a one-night-only celebration of Broadway, benefitting the
Entertainment Community Fund. Directed by
Bryan Campione and
Corey Mach, with musical direction by
Joshua Stephen Kartes, the concert will invite audiences in Times Square and online to share in song and celebration; all while raising money to support the Fund’s mission of fostering stabilityand resiliency and providing a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan. Hosted by
Natalie Joy Johnson (
Kinky Boots), special guests include
Ann Harada (TV: “SMASH”, Bway:
Cinderella),
Antwayn Hopper (
A Strange Loop),
Bobby Conte (
Company Revival),
Carolee Carmello (
1776 Revival),
Christine Dwyer (
Wicked),
Christopher Sieber (
Company Revival),
Corey Mach (
Kinky Boots),
Ginna Claire Mason (
Wicked),
Jarrod Spector (
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical),
Javier Ignacio (
Company Revival),
Jay Armstrong Johnson (
The Phantom of the Opera),
Jelani Remy (
The Lion King),
Jessica Hendy (
Cats),
Kelli Barrett (
Getting The Band Back Together),
Mary Kate Morrissey (
Mean Girls),
Santino Fontana (Film: “Frozen”, TV: “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”, Bway:
Tootsie), TikTok vocal sensation
T.3,
Jim Hogan (
Kimberly Akimbo),
Liam Fennecken (U.S. Tour
School of Rock),
Brendan Jacob Smith (
The Simon & Garfunkel Story), with representatives from
The Entertainment Community Fund and
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The “
One Night Only” Band includes
Kartes,
Yayoi Ikawa,
Hiroyuki Matsuura,
Colin Dean,
Andy Buslovich,
Rachel Lanskey,
Erikka Walsh (
Once),
Nick Anton,
Clyde Daley,
Matthew Jermiason, and
Amy Griffiths. Background vocalists include Baldwin Wallace graduates
Charles Mayhew Miller,
Jillian Kates, and
Kailey Boyle.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 2
10:30AM-1:00PM - Curtain Up! LIVE from Broadway Concert
Hosted by
Amber Ruffin and
Jesse Tyler Ferguson,
Curtain Up! LIVE from Broadway will spotlight marquee talent and showcasing Broadway musicals and plays, marking the culmination of
Curtain Up Broadway Festival. This concert will also air live on WABC, and is directed by
Sammi Cannold; with music direction by
Daryl Waters.