The Museum of Broadway has revealed its latest special exhibit. “Crafting Excellence: Black Storytellers of Broadway” will showcase the work and legacy of Black artists and organizations on the Main Stem. The exhibit, which is presented in partnership with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will be open to the public beginning on Jan. 23 and run through March 16.
“Crafting Excellence” will spotlight artists such as musician Duke Ellington, writers Lorraine Hansberry, Langston Hughes, Lynn Nottage, Suzan-Lori Parks and August Wilson, as well as writer and producer Jeremy O. Harris. The exhibit will also focus on organizations dedicated to amplifying Black voices in the theater such as Black Theatre United, Broadway Advocacy Coalition and Building the Change.
Also on display will be costumes and accessories including items worn by Cynthia Erivo in her Tony Award-winning turn in “The Color Purple,” Eartha Kitt in her Tony-nominated turn in “The Wild Party” and Jeremy Pope in his Tony-nominated turn in “Choir Boy.”
“When we built the Museum of Broadway, we worked to communicate through each piece that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us,” said museum executive producer and co-founder Julie Boardman, in a statement. “Through this exhibit, we are honored to bring the work of these incredible authors forward to not only celebrate Black history on Broadway, but also look ahead to the future and a Broadway that will continue to grow and evolve to blaze a trail forward.”
The Museum of Broadway recently concluded an exhibit exploring Disney’s 30 years on the Main Stem. Other recent exhibits curated exclusively for the Museum include “¡Viva! Broadway: ayer, hoy y mañana,” “‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ Spectacular Spectacular,” “SIX: The Royal Gallery,” “All That Jazz: The Legacy of ‘Chicago’ the Musical” and “The American Theatre as Seen by Hirschfeld.”
Co-founded by Boardman and Diane Nicoletti, the Museum of Broadway opened in November 2022.
