Under a beautiful, clear sky with outstanding weather present, the Finale Concert of the three event titled “Curtain Up” ran on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Crowds cheered as shows came on and gave their performances. There was no doubt watching this: BROADWAY IS BACK!
The event was put together by the Broadway League, Playbill, and sponsored by Prudential and others. The first two days presented a number of different performances and discussions people could attend outdoors. This Sunday event completed the three day festival and was reminiscent of the yearly event Broadway on Broadway which also ran in Duffy Square like this one did.
Following the opening speeches, the host was introduced for the event was introduced. Jelani Alladin was a fabulous host with a light hearted manner as he encouraged everyone to enjoy it all.
Here is a summation of Broadway shows whose cast members performed during the two hour show.
Ain’t Too Proud opened the show with a rousing and high energy presentation of the song of the same name.
Four of the cast of The Lion King performed a sweet version of “Hakuna Matata.”
To Kill a Mockingbird was introduced as a returning play planning to open very soon.
A blues selection from the show Lackawanna Blues totally rocked! Yes, it was blues but it also rocked.
Tony Award winning Hadestown was next up. Technical difficulties at first but we can handle that since it is live theater. Music to our ears. The cast performed “When the Chips are Down.”
Celebrating 25 years on Broadway was a group of cast members from Chicago to perform “Roxy.”
Next up was Wicked celebrating 18 years on Broadway singing that song which is so grand from the show “Popular.”
A segment devoted to celebrating the arrival of several new plays by black playwrights was presented.
The Girl From North Country came on next to perform a Dylan song from the show.
Katrina Lenk, the star of Company, introduced three of her cast mates from the show to sing “A Person that” Previews start on Nov. 15.
Starting on Oct. 8 is Caroline or Change. Cast members from this show performed a very soulful song.
Cast members from Dear Evan Hanson sang a very lovely version of “For Forever.” This show is due to reopen in October.
Come From Away brought some of their cast out to sing “Me and the Sky” and to announce the good news that they reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 21.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child announced that the show has been redone so that it will be all done in one show. This play reopens Nov. 12. They introduced the two cast members of Aladdin who performed “A Whole New World.” This show reopens late in September.
From Waitress, a cast member performed a powerful “I Didn’t Plan It.” This show is currently open and running on Broadway.
Coming back on Oct. 22 is Phantom of the Opera. Norm Lewis. Hugh Panaro, and Howard McGlillin, three former phantoms, and the current one, Ben Crawford, sang a stunning rendition of “Music of the Night.”
The cast of Mrs. Doubtfire next came out to sing a new song from this show which opens soon.
The playwright of Thoughts of a Colored Man, Keenan Scott II, came next to talk about the show opening on Oct. 1st and introduced the cast. They performed a short scene from the play.
The cast from Tina on Broadway, which reopens on Oct. 8, performed a high energy song from a show.
Another show returning is Jagged Little Pill. Cast members sang a song from this show.
Diana the Musical included the cast singing “I Will.” Music composer David Bryan also appeared.
The show end with a suggestion from host Jelani Alladin to start today and go buy a ticket to a show. How could you resist after such an amazing 2 hours of live performances.
For a final send off, the six wives of new show Six ended the show with one final performance.
BROADWAY IS BACK!