There’s no business like Pride business on Great White Way
The Times Square Alliance and Playbill are joining forces to kick off Pride weekend in New York City — Broadway-style. As the city gets ready for its first major, all-out Pride weekend since 2019, Pride in Times Square is welcoming members of the LGBTQ community and their friends to one of the world’s most famous intersections.
This free, two-day creativity extravaganza will take place in Duffy Square, the northern triangle of Times Square, between 45th and 47th Sts., and feature performances by Broadway and Off-Broadway stars, sing-alongs, the Big Broadway Disco and a virtual double rainbow soaring 3,000 feet above Seventh Ave. — an augmented reality sculpture of a double rainbow by Latvian-British artist Kristaps Ancans, called the “Polar Rainbow.”
“Having just welcomed over 400,000 people in one day for the first time since the pandemic began, the Times Square Alliance is excited to partner with Playbill to deliver a weekend of exciting and inclusive events to celebrate Pride and invite even more to Times Square,” said Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance, an organization that works to improve and promote the world-famous live entertainment hub. Playbill is a monthly magazine focusing on theater.
“We look forward to welcoming LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies to the Crossroads of the World for programming that supports, inspires and represents the diverse community of New York City,” Harris added.
Several community organizations and LGBTQ nonprofits, including GLAAD, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus and the Ali Forney Center, the nation’s largest LGBTQ community center helping LGBTQ homeless youth, will take the main stage on Friday for Community Pride Day, when they will discuss their work, celebrate their achievements and also highlight their ongoing fight for equality and inclusion.
On Saturday, the stage will be home to Broadway Pride Day, with sing-alongs to hits such as “The Prom,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and “Head Over Heels,” as well as a panel discussion featuring the cast of the Tony-winning musical “A Strange Loop.”
Starting at 6 p.m., the Big Broadway Disco will close the event — and get the night going — with DJs and performers celebrating Pride on the dance floor, with a special performance by Off-Broadway’s “Titanique” star Courtney Bassett.
On both days, a smaller stage on the plaza between 45th and 46th Sts., the Playbill Pride Piano Bar, will feature more intimate concerts throughout the morning and afternoon led by top Broadway musicians and performers.