Curtain Up | Playbill

Playbill, The Broadway League, the Times Square Alliance, and Prudential Financial announce details for the third-annual Curtain Up Broadway Festival, a three-day outdoor experience in Times Square presented by title sponsor Prudential Financial, with additional support from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, The Film Fund, Music Performance Trust Fund, Open Jar Studios, and Hotel Edison.

From Friday September 8 - Sunday September 10, 2023, Curtain Up Broadway Festival brings Broadway to the streets, in the heart of New York City: Times Square. Stretching between 46th and 48th Streets, over fifteen unique events will take place. All interactive events and performances are live, free, and open to the public #CurtainUpBway

Past Events

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

2:00 – 2:30 PM – Divas Broadway Sing-Along
Located on Prudential’s Belt it Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Stage

Join 2021 Richard Rodgers Award Winner Brandon James Gwinn (pianist at the world-renowned Marie’s Crisis and producer of Trixie Mattel’s albums) as he plays some of the greatest hits from the divas of Broadway for an audience sing along in the heart of Times Square.

2:30 – 3:00 PM - Official Curtain Up Kick-Off Celebration
Located on Curtain Up Mainstage

The Curtain Up Broadway Festival kicks off with guest speakers from Playbill, Times Square Alliance, The Broadway League, & title sponsor Prudential Financial, with Broadway guest hosts Arielle Jacobs and Melody Butiu, performances from Colin Donnell, Patti Murin, Eric Krop, and Jelani Remy, band members Jonathan Ivie (music director), Steve Millhouse, Andrew Zinsmeister and Jon Weber, as well as special guests from The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF), The Film Fund, Hotel Edison, Open Jar Studios, The Entertainment Community Fund, and more. The event will ignite excitement on the mainstage and include a celebratory countdown to the official event start!

CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER - The Broadway Block Party presented by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME)
Located on Curtain Up Mainstage

Hosted by Bryan Campione, join DJ Mike Borowski as he spins Broadway hits in the middle of Times Square!

CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER – A Sondheim Sing-Along
Located on Prudential’s Belt it Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Stage

Join 2021 Richard Rodgers Award Winner Brandon James Gwinn (pianist at the world-renowned Marie’s Crisis and producer of Trixie Mattel’s albums) as he plays some of the greatest hits from the legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, for an audience sing along in the heart of Times Square.

CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER - WICKED Sing-Along
Located on Prudential’s Belt it Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Stage

We couldn’t be happier to have pianist Paul Loesel and Broadway cast members Jake Pedersen and Micaela Martinez lead a WICKED sing along. Audiences can sing along to the show's thrillifying songs right in the heart of Times Square- just ahead of WICKED’s 20thanniversary on Broadway this fall!

CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER: “And All That Jazz” – A Celebration of Chita Rivera with the Entertainment Community Fund
Located on Curtain Up Mainstage

The Entertainment Community Fund, in association with Nouveau Productions, bring together Broadway stars and special guests celebrating nine decades of the incomparable Chita Rivera! Featuring members of the American Pops Orchestra, the concert will feature performances and stories, shared, and performed by some of the brightest stars on Broadway.

Special Guests Include:
George Dvorsky – Andy Karl – Alexis Michelle – Brian Stokes Mitchell – Jessie Mueller – Bebe Neuwirth – Orfeh – John Riddle – Lisa Mordente – Alyssa Epstein – Jessica Lee Goldyn – RJ Higton – Ian Klein – Alicia Lundgren – Connor McRory – Richard Smith – Hillary Morrow – Christian Clausnitzer – Tim Kodres – Nikki Kimbrough – Taylor Marrs

American Pops Orchestra Members Include:
Luke Frazier (conductor) – Greg Watkins – Dilyana Tsenov – Maria Im – James Kelly – Sean Neidlinger – Chealsea Lane – Joy Hodges – Philippe Brunet – James Martin – Micheal Thomas – David Doescher – Jason Marshall – Robert Morris – Dan Berkery – Evan Rees

“And All That Jazz” dance numbers are choreographed by Lloyd Culbreath and Nicolas De La Vega (assistant choreographer). Nouveau Productions team members include Robert Pullen (Executive Producer), Hannah Gudeman (Senior Producer), Grace Money and Madison Russell.

NOTE: Due to streaming restrictions, this event will not be live-streamed.

CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER - Curtain Up After Dark presents Broadway Sings: Acoustic!
Located on Prudential’s Belt it Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Stage

Presented by Prudential, Curtain Up After Dark welcomes Broadway Sings: Acoustic to the stage! Produced by Corey Mach, join Broadway special guests, performers, and band as they present an acoustically driven concert under the golden setting sun. With hit Broadway songs and incredible arrangements, the concert will be one to remember forever!

Performers Include:
Olivia Donalson – Ben Fankhauser – Bradley Gibson – Ainsley Melham – Samantha Pauly – Ximone Rose – Eleri Ward

With Broadway Sings Band Members:
Joshua Stephen Kartes (musical director) – Bryan Bisordi – David Cinquegrana – Colin Dean – Amy  Griffiths – Miho Nobuzane – Sasha Ono

Broadway Sings: Acoustic! is produced by Corey Mach and line produced by Abby DePhillps.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023

10:30 – 11:15 AM - Ailey’s Revelations dance workshop
Located on Curtain Up Mainstage

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 Mainstage, where you’ll learn modified excerpts of Alvin Ailey’s masterwork, Revelations. Participants are asked to wear comfy clothing.

Performers Include:
Amos Machanic – Renée Robinson – Fatima Logan‑Alston – Cheryl Rowley‑Gaskins – Aaron Thomas – David Alston (drummer)

11:15 – 11:45 AM – CHICAGO The Musical Sing-Along
Located on Prudential’s Belt it Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Stage

Whoopee! We’re playin' songs fast and loose from CHICAGO The Musical, currently celebrating 26 years on Broadway! Audiences can sing-along to their favorite songs and ALL THAT JAZZ in the heart of Times Square led by a member of the Chicago cast and band.

1:00 – 2:15 PM - Belt It Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Presented by Prudential
Located on Prudential’s Belt it Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Stage

Join Prudential all weekend at Belt It Out on Broadway, a series of Dueling Piano showdowns held right in Times Square. From specially themed programs featuring Broadway stars to spirited sing-alongs where audience members choose the tunes, rollicking good fun will be yours for the asking. This session will star pianists Elijah Caldwell and Rachel Kaufman!

1:30 – 2:30 PM - Prudential Stages on Broadway Concert
Located on Curtain Up Mainstage

Hosted by Brittney Johnson, an acclaimed Broadway star who made history playing the title role of Glinda in the smash-hit musical Wicked – the Prudential Stages on Broadway Concert gives (4) four aspiring and emerging artists (Brianna Kaleen, Chris Richie, Alli Sutton and Zalah Vallien), the opportunity to capitalize on their ‘Now What?’ moment and sing on stage with Johnson in front of theatre professionals like contest judges Tara Rubin and Allen René Louis. The winning aspiring artist will also walk away with a monetary prize of up to $10,000 plus an opportunity for financial advice from a Prudential Advisor. Also joining to accept Prudential's donation to Black Theatre United, an organization set up to help protect Black people, Black theatre, and Black lives of all shapes and orientations, is LaChanze, star of Broadway's Trouble in Mind and the president of Black Theatre United.

The Prudential Stages Concert Orchestra includes:
James Sampliner (music director) – Roberto Shina – Steve Count – Richard Mercurio – John Putnam – Michael Bono – Aaron Heick – Alex Morrison Hamlin – Matt Owens – Dan Morris Levine – Judy Yin‑Chi Lee – John Dinklage – Mary Jo Strip – Kiku Enomoto – Eleanor Anne Norton.

CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER - The Broadway Block Party presented by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME)
Located on Curtain Up Mainstage

Hosted by Bryan Campione, join DJ Mike Borowski as he spins Broadway hits in the middle of Times Square!

CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER - Belt It Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Presented by Prudential
Located on Prudential’s Belt it Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Stage

Join Prudential all weekend at Belt It Out on Broadway, a series of Dueling Piano showdowns held right in Times Square. From specially themed programs featuring Broadway stars to spirited sing-alongs where audience members choose the tunes, rollicking good fun will be yours for the asking. This session will star pianists Rachel Kaufman and Drew Wutke!

5:30 – 7:00 PM: ¡Viva! Broadway: Aquí y Allá (Here and There)
Located on Curtain Up Mainstage

¡Viva! Broadway celebrates the dynamic influence that Latin and Hispanic artists have had on the art form of Broadway. Conceived and directed by Luis Salgado, musical direction by Jaime Lozano, and written by Eric Ulloa, the concert is a celebration of history from the inspiration of early songwriters to the authentic voices and stories of Broadway today.

Performers Include:
Andréa Burns – Tami Dahbura – Matías De La Flor – Linedy Genao – Javier Ignacio – Angel Sigala – Martín Solá – Emilio Sosa – Maria Bilbao – Mayelah Barrera – Florencia Cuenca – Henry Gainza – Mario Tadeo – Pablo Torres – Angelica Beliard – Adriel Flete – Megan Elyse Fulmer – Christian Galvis – Henry Gendron – Anna Guerra – Yani Marin – Jenny Mollet – Ralphie Rivera – and a special performance by R.Evolución Latina students!

The ¡Viva! Broadway Band Includes:
Jaime Lozano (music director) – Alejandro Berti – Jonathan Gomez – Daniel Gutierrez (associate music director) Alex Hamlin – Yahir Montes – Hugo Moreno – Victor Pablo – Ruben Rodriguez – Alberto Toro

¡Viva! Broadway Aquí y Allá has additional staff support from Matt Steffens (Associate Choreographer), Claudia Mulet (Associate Director), Rodrigo Muñoz (Costume Coordination), Rodrigo Herrera (Production Stage Manager) and Majo Ferrucho (Assistant Stage Manager).

NOTE: Due to streaming restrictions, this event will not be live-streamed.

6:30 – 8:00 PM - Curtain Up After Dark presents Rockers On Broadway
Located on Prudential’s Belt it Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Stage

Presented by Prudential, Curtain Up After Dark welcomes the return of Rockers On Broadway: Live in Times Square, benefiting The PATH Fund. Join Broadway’s Donnie Kehr, and his band as they rock the stage with Broadway and contemporary rock-n-roll hits!

Performers Include:
Gerard Canonico – Keirsten Nicole Hodgens – Michael Longoria – Jennifer Perry – Nick Prez – Max Sangerman – Jeremy Schonfeld – Bligh Voth – Aléna Watters

PATH Fund Student Performers:
Claudia Fabella – Isabelle Gottfried – Avery Rehl – GG Roberts‑Nguyen – Matteo Russo – Sylvia Smith – Jurnee Swan – Audrey Simone Winters

The Rockers On Broadway Band Includes:
Donnie Kehr – Nick Prez – Gary Bristol – Hidayat Honari – Jay Leslie – John Putnam – Dan Weiner

The concert is executive produced by Cori Gardner, with additional support from Michael T. Clarkson (Stage Manager) and Mitchell “Bubbles” Keller (Production Manager).

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM - Curtain Up! LIVE from Broadway
Located on Curtain Up Mainstage

An exciting, outdoor event that marks the culmination of Curtain Up Broadway Festival, the Curtain Up! LIVE from Broadway concert will feature live musical performances and special guest star appearances highlighting the current Broadway season. Hosted by Eric McCormack (The Cottage), the concert will be broadcast live on WABC!

Participating Shows Include:
& JulietA Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond MusicalAladdinBack To The Future: The MusicalThe Book of MormonChicagoThe CottageHadestownHarmonyHere Lies LoveHow to Dance in OhioJaja’s African Hair BraidingKimberly AkimboThe Lion KingMoulin Rouge! The MusicalThe Shark Is BrokenShuckedSIX: The MusicalSome Like It HotSpamalotWicked

The Finale Concert Orchestra Includes:
Matt Gallagher – Sinai Tabak – Nate Brown – Brian Holtz – Sean McDaniel – Daniel Willis – Alden Banta – James De La Garza – Jason Jackson – Hiroko Taguchi – Philip Payton – Anja Wood – Michael Aarons (music coordinator) – Georgia Monroe (assistant music coordinator) – Russ Anxiter (copyist) – Randy Cohen (keyboard programmer) – Sam Starobin (associate keyboard programmer) and guest musicians from the participating Broadway shows.

Curtain Up! LIVE from Broadway features musical direction by Andrew Resnick with live music provided by The Music Performance Trust Fund and The Film Fund and is written by Eric Ulloa. The WABC finale broadcast is directed by Michael J. Moritz Jr.

1:00 – 3:00 PM - Belt It Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Presented by Prudential
Located on Prudential’s Belt it Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Stage

Join Prudential all weekend at Belt It Out on Broadway, a series of Dueling Piano showdowns held right in Times Square. From specially themed programs featuring Broadway stars to spirited sing-alongs where audience members choose the tunes, rollicking good fun will be yours for the asking. This session will star pianists Sarah Glassman and Drew Wutke!

TIMES SQUARE ALLIANCE BUSINESS & SOCIAL PROMOTIONS

The Times Square Alliance will celebrate Curtain Up Broadway Festival and the Broadway community with discounts, deals, giveaways, and special menu items from neighborhood businesses. Special offers will appear at tsq.org/CurtainUpDeals from Times Square restaurants, shops, and attractions that celebrate Times Square’s calling card…theatre!

Technical Event Production for Curtain Up Broadway Festival is by iDeko, with Festival General and Company Management by ShowTown Theatricals and Curtain Up! LIVE from Broadway Concert General Management by Foresight Theatrical. Onsite support provided by Street Meet Promotions and additional weekend ASL interpretation provided by Pro Bono ASL and Rorri Burton.

ACCESS DETAILS

Curtain Up is an accessible event for people with disabilities. The mainstage will have the following access: American Sign Language interpreter, captions, FM assistive listening devices, wheelchair seating, and chairs with armrests.

At the Belt It Out on Broadway Dueling Pianos Presented by Prudential stage the following access will be provided: accessible seating, chairs with armrests, and accessible tables.

For further information or to request any additional accommodations at any of these events, please contact [email protected] or call 212-452-5210 at least two business days prior to Friday, September 8.

Curtain Up Map Curtain Up Map
Revisit our past Curtain Up Broadway Festivals!
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