The third-annual “Curtain Up!” Broadway Festival will take place from Sept. 8-10 in Times Square. The event will include performances and interactive programs that are free and open to the public. The weekend’s closing concert “Curtain Up! LIVE from Broadway” will take place on Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Duffy Square and will be aired on local WABC TV.
The outdoor festival is being produced by The Broadway League, the Times Square Alliance and Playbill. It is presented by Prudential Financial with support from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Music Performance Trust Fund, the Film Fund, Open Jar Studios and Hotel Edison.
“Curtain Up!” will begin with the Broadway Sing-Along, a half-hour dueling-pianos set presented by Prudential, on Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. The official kickoff celebration will immediately follow at 2:30 p.m. with speakers that include the festival’s producers and sponsors. Additional activities that afternoon will include a Broadway Block Party and more Sing-Alongs.
At 5 p.m., the Entertainment Community Fund in association with Nouveau Productions will unite Broadway stars and special guests to celebrate two-time Tony Award-winning actor Chita Rivera in a 90-minute tribute titled “All That Jazz.” The day will end with an acoustic version of “Broadway Sings.”
On Sept. 9, the day will begin with a dance workshop from Alvin Ailey dance company. There will be more Sing-Alongs, another official Block Party and a special “Prudential Stages on Broadway” concert, hosted by former “Wicked” star Brittney Johnson and showcasing four aspiring talents. These performers will sing for judges, like casting director Tara Rubin and composer-arranger and actor Allen René Louis, for the chance to win up to $10,000 and financial advice from a Prudential advisor.
Additional details for the weekend of programming will be announced. The festival is held rain or shine and the schedule is subject to change.
