New York theatre’s summer plans just got a major new addition. In August, a first-of-its-kind, three-day outdoor Broadway celebration will head north of the city, transforming Kingston’s historic Hutton Brickyards into a destination for musical theatre fans. Running August 14–16, The Festival reimagines Broadway as a full-scale festival experience, blending big voices, beloved songs and scenic Hudson Valley surroundings.
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Among the announced performers are big names including Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Christopher Jackson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Denée Benton, Jason Robert Brown, Norbert Leo Butz, Jenn Colella, Mandy Gonzalez, James Monroe Iglehart, Tom Kitt, Eva Noblezada, Ben Levi Ross, Talia Suskauer, Adrienne Warren and Joy Woods.
The inaugural event will be directed by Jerry Mitchell and D.B. Bonds, with a special tribute to the theatre nonprofit Broadway Cares, and produced by Josh Saltman’s A Weekend in the Country alongside David B. Schwartz.
The concept borrows the best elements of a music festival and filters them through a theatrical lens. Across the weekend, Broadway stars will headline themed concerts and ensemble showcases with the Hudson River as a backdrop. A centerpiece of the weekend will be a special concert marking the 30th anniversary of Rent, featuring original cast members and celebrating a show that helped redefine modern musical theatre.
Beyond the main stage, the festival leans hard into immersion. Rather than rushing in and out for a single performance, attendees can spend entire days exploring a slate of theatre-centric experiences. Plans include late-night campfire sing-alongs, a piano bar perched along the river, Broadway-inspired costume contests and dance parties, and a lineup of panels, workshops and masterclasses.
Food and drink are also a major part of the draw. Local Hudson Valley chefs and mixologists will anchor the culinary offerings, complemented by a curated artisan marketplace. The result is designed to feel like a true destination weekend, not just a concert series, with enough to do between performances to justify a trip upstate.
Weekend passes will be sold at tiered price levels, with presales beginning March 3 and general ticketing to follow. For more information and to register for tickets, click here.
