Broadway stars Criss, Tveit to headline outdoor NYC concert

NEW YORK (AP) — Some of Broadway's brightest lights — including Darren Criss, Aaron Tveit, Leslie Odom Jr., Laura Osnes, Lea Salonga and Seth Rudetsky — will perform during a one-day outdoor music festival along the Hudson River next month that organizers hope will become an annual event.

"The goal for this is to hopefully be a yearly festival that takes Broadway out of the stage and out into a fun, outdoor concert setting," said talent manager Ricky Rollins, one of the co-creators.

The first-ever Elsie Fest will take place on Sept. 27 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Pier 57 near 57th Street and the West Side Highway. Tickets go on sale Friday exclusively at Ticketmaster. Prices are $49.50 and VIP seating is $250.

The concert is the brainchild of Rollins, Criss — its name is an inside joke for him — and Broadway producer and Jujamcyn Theaters President Jordan Roth. Organizers still hope to name more headliners in the coming weeks.

"We don't know yet what everyone will actually sing but the idea is to have each performer give a taste of songs that they're know from their various properties that they've starred in," Rollins said. "And also to just perform songs that they've always wanted to sing and just haven't had the right venue to do so."

Organizers hope the festival will grow — perhaps one day to multiple stages in Central Park — and attract lots of artists who have an affinity with Broadway, like Sara Bareilles and Cyndi Lauper. Rollins said he hoped there would be a "cross-pollination of talent that has a mutual adoration for Broadway."

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Online: http://www.elsiefest.com

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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits