The Curtain Up! Festival arrives on Broadway to signal the return of theater to the Great White Way. The top names in the world of theater will be appearing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from September 17- 19 at Duffy Square.
Scheduled to attend are Senator Chuck Schumer, Commissioner Ann Del Castillo, along with Bianca Marroquin,  Luis Miranda, Brian Stokes Mitchell,  Daphne Rubin-Vega, Sergio Trujillo, plus performers and appearances from 18 Broadway musicals and 5 plays.

Playbill, in partnership with The Broadway League, the Times Square Alliance, and title sponsor Prudential announces details and talent for the three-day outdoor experience in Times Square presented by title sponsor Prudential; sponsored in part by Lexus, Netflix, and United Airlines; with additional support from Audible and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

Curtain Up! will take place outdoors in Times Square, on Broadway stretching between 45^th and 48^th Streets.  Twenty-two unique events will take place on stages in Duffy Square (7^th Ave. & 47^th St.) and between 45^th/46^th St. Check below for some of the highlights.

Event organizers will continue to follow the city, state and federal COVID-19 guidelines and will inform the public of any changes to the event protocols or schedule.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
WHAT:  Curtain Up! Festival Kick-off Event

WHO: Special guest speakers U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Deputy Mayor Vicki Been, Commissioner Anne Del Castillo (New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment) join hosts Norm Lewis and Michael Urie with additional guest speakers: Charlotte St. Martin (President, The Broadway League), Lauren Reid (Chair of the Board, The Broadway League; President, The John Gore Organization), Alex Birsh (Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Playbill) and Tom Harris (President, Times Square Alliance) who will kick off Broadway’s return with a celebratory countdown to the official start of the Curtain Up! Festival. The event will include special performances by Broadway stars Brian Stokes Mitchell and Jessica Vosk with music direction by John McDaniel.

WHEN: 12:00 PM – Event Starts

12:40 PM – Event ends

WHERE: Duffy Square in Times Square, 7^th Ave. & 47^th St.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
WHAT:  Jimmy Awards Reunion Concert!

 WHO:  Hosted by Broadway’s Jelani Alladin, this event brings together alumni of the famed Jimmy Awards®/National High School Musical Theatre Awards program. The concert will feature the two top winners from the virtual 2021 Jimmy Awards making their New York performance debuts and will include Bryson Battle, John Clay III, Sofia Deler, Caitlin Finnie, Elena Holder, Lily Kaufmann, McKenzie Kurtz, Sam Primack, Josh Strobl, and Ekele Ukegbu. This concert is directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn, with music direction by Daryl Waters.

WHEN:  5:30 PM – Event Starts

6:30 PM – Event Ends

WHERE: Duffy Square (7^th Ave. & 47^th St.)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

WHAT:  Black to Broadway – It’s “Play” Time!

WHO:  Panel discussion with Keenan Scott III (Thoughts of a Colored Man), Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu (Pass Over), Lynn Nottage (Clyde’s) and Douglas Lyons (Chicken & Biscuits) moderated by Harriette Cole, the nationally renowned lifestylist, and branding coach and DREAMLEAPERS founder.

WHEN:  12:15 PM – Event Starts

1:45 PM – Event Ends

WHERE: Duffy Square (7^th Ave. & 47^th St.)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

WHAT:  Concert: ¡Viva! Broadway When We See Ourselves

WHO: The event will celebrate some of the most familiar names of Latinx representation on Broadway such as Daphne Rubin-Vega, Robin de Jesús, Bianca Marroquín, and more, and elevate the talented ensemble members who always lead the way. The creative team includes Luis Salgado (director.choreographer), Gabriela Garcia (associate director/choreographer), Eric Ulloa (writer), Jaime Lozano (musical direction) and Sergio Trujillo (creative consultant).

Confirmed Performers: Bianca Marroquín, Ayodele Casel, Janet Dacal, Robin DeJesús, Alma Cuervo, Linedy Genao, Nicholas Edwards, Eliseo Roman, Daphne Rubin Vega, Josh Segarra, Caesar Samayoa, Jennifer Sánchez, Henry Gainza, Claudia Mulet, David Baida, Florencia Cuenca, Marielys Molina, Natalie Caruncho, Angelica Beliard, Sarita Colon, Gabriel Reyes, Roman Cruz, Steven Orrego Upegui, Adriel Flete, Noah Paneto, Harolyn Lantigua and more. Featured Tango performance by Valeria Solmonoff & Iakov Shonsky are a part of the event with special guests Luis Miranda, Rick Miramontez, Emilia Sosa and Sergio Trujillo present for this special celebration.  

WHEN: 5:00 PM – Event Starts

6:30 PM – Event ends

WHERE: Duffy Square (7^th Ave. & 47^th St.)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

WHAT Curtain Up: This is Broadway!

WHO: Hosted by Broadway’s Jelani Alladin, current shows and performers participating include: Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Aladdin, Caroline, or Change, Chicago, Come From Away, Company, Dear Evan Hansen, Diana the Musical, Girl from the North County, Hadestown, Jagged Little Pill, The Lion King, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Phantom of the Opera, Six, Tina- The Tina Turner Musical, Waitress, Wicked, five Broadway plays: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Lackawanna Blues, Pass Over, Thoughts of a Colored Man and To Kill A Mockingbird.  Additional special guests will be announced. *Shows and performers are subject to change.

WHEN:  11:00 AM – Event Starts

1:00 PM – Event Ends