Banner Image: Cheri Root Photography, 2017
5 REASONS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT BROADWAYCON 2018
by Brookelynn Mason
For the third year in a row, theater fans from all over the world will gather in NYC this month for the biggest fan event of the year: BroadwayCon. Workshops, industry panels, a bustling vendor marketplace, and exclusive events fills an entire weekend of Broadway superfandom. We. Are. So. Excited. Here are 5 things we can't wait for this year at "The Con":
In The Heights Reunion
Friday at 5pm
The original Broadway cast of In The Heights (Lin-Manuel Miranda’s FIRST Tony Award-winning musical) is reuniting this year at BroadwayCon and that means getting to be in the room with people like Mandy Gonzalez and Karen Olivo, who have both also played the role of Angelica in Hamilton (Broadway and Chicago, respectively). Oh, and the man himself, Lin-Manuel. NBD. Here's the original cast performing at the Tony Awards in 2007 to get you pumped.
BroadwayCon First Look
SUNDAY AT 3:30PM
This is where you’ll find YesBroadway on Sunday, eyes glued to the main stage. Many of the spring shows opening on Broadway come to give a little sneak peak at what they’ll be serving us in the coming months. I mean, we’re low key REALLY hoping for a Tina Fey appearance. Like…really. Here's Gideon Glick giving us a sneak peek of Significant Other at last year's First Look panel.
The Opening and Closing Ceremony
Friday at 4:30 & Sunday at 5pm
Every year, the opening and closing ceremonies consist of about a 45-minute long performance on the main stage that rouses the audience and incorporates Broadway fan references into pop culture. The performances are energizing, entertaining, and tug at the heart strings...so a Broadway show, basically. Expect appearances from Rent's Anthony Rapp, who is a co-creator of BroadwayCon. Here are some highlight's from last year's Opening Ceremony.
Networking
all weekend
The Con is a great place to network with other people…and maybe even a star or two! It’s not uncommon to see stars roaming about the marketplace between panels and workshops. Get your Selfie finger ready!
Photo: Cheri Root Photography, 2017
BroadwayCon Star-to-Be CONTEST
SATURDAY AT 3PM
Kind of like BroadwayCon’s version of America’s Got Talent, the top 10 video entries compete live on stage in front of industry professionals in order to be named BroadwayCon’s “Star-to-Be”. Contestants perform musical theatre selections and try to rile up the audience and judges with their performances. Fan of shows like The Voice or American Idol? Then, this is a main stage event you won’t want to miss!
Photo: Cheri Root Photography, 2017
BroadwayCon is January 26 - 28 at the Jacob Javits Center.