Broadway's Woodstock? New Three-Day Summer Outdoor Festival Draws Big-Name Stage Stars
A first-of-its-kind three-day outdoor music festival celebrating Broadway and featuring a large roster of big-name stage talent, including Audra McDonald, Kelli O'Hara, Christopher Jackson, James Monroe Iglehart, Casey Likes, Eva Noblezada, and Adrienne Warren, is set for this August in Kingston, New York. This festival, announced today, will take place at Kingston's historic Hutton Brickyards along the Hudson River waterfront, about a two-hour drive north of New York City. The festival, produced by A Weekend in the Country, the live production company founded by Josh Saltman, is intended as a "destination event" by producers Josh Saltman and David B. Schwartz, former colleagues at The Walt Disney Company.
The Festival's lineup includes a diverse range of Broadway performers, such as Renée Elise Goldsberry, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Amber Ardolino, Julie Benko, Denée Benton, Tommy Bracco, Jason Robert Brown, Norbert Leo Butz, Jenn Colella, Cara Rose DiPietro, Tyler Joseph Ellis, Mandy Gonzalez, Tom Kitt, Lauren Patten, Seth Rudetsky, Ben Levi Ross, Talia Suskauer, and Joy Woods, with more to be announced. Additionally, the Festival will host a 30th Anniversary Celebration of the musical Rent, reuniting original Broadway cast members Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jesse L. Martin, Adam Pascal, and Anthony Rapp.
The concert performances will showcase Broadway classics and "surprising mashups and medleys," directed by Broadway's Tony Award-winning choreographer and director Jerry Mitchell and director D.B. Bonds. The event will also feature "immersive fan experiences," campfire sing-alongs, a 'Club Cumming on the Hudson' piano bar (named after the Manhattan cabaret co-owned by actor Alan Cumming), a Broadway Rave's dance party, theatrical costume contests, and more.
Featured performers and industry professionals will participate in outdoor events throughout the scenic resort grounds, hosting lectures, panels, and masterclasses. Locally sourced food and beverages will be offered from Hudson Valley chefs and mixologists, along with a curated marketplace showcasing the region's artisans, makers, and merchants. The Festival will also include special events benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Three-day festival passes will start at $399, with passes available in tiers including general admission, reserved seating, and exclusive VIP experiences. Official programming for the three-day festival will be announced shortly, and additional information, including ticket packages and lodging and shuttle offerings, will be available at the official website (https://www.broadwayfest.com/).
