First-Ever BroadwayCon — Bringing Together Fans, Stars and Favorite Shows — Launches Today! | Playbill

News First-Ever BroadwayCon — Bringing Together Fans, Stars and Favorite Shows — Launches Today! Broadway's biggest stars and their fans come together Jan. 22 for the inaugural BroadwayCon, a three-day event packed with performances, original cast reunions and in-depth panels that go behind the scenes of the theatre's hottest shows.

Running Jan. 22-24 at the New York Hilton Midtown, BroadwayCon gives fans an all-access experience with performers, musicians, dancers, choreographers, writers, designers and more.

Playbill has partnered with BroadwayCon to present the event, created by theatre lovers for theatre lovers — Melissa Anelli, Stephanie Dornhelm and original Rent star Anthony Rapp conceived the event.

Registration begins at 9 AM! The day's festivities begin at 10 AM with the first fan meet-ups! Theatre fans will have the chance to connect with one another in a series of meet-ups geared toward the shows and writers they love. From groups dedicated to Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber, "Smash" to Newsies, Rent and Hamilton, attendees are sure to make new theatre buddies who share their interests.

If you didn't buy your tickets yet, don't worry! Tickets will also be available to purchase at any BroadwayCon check-in desk.

Here's a breakdown of the remaining ticket options:

The $95 Day Pass provides day-only access to BroadwayCon programming (panels, performances, keynotes, discussions). This pass also includes the official program book (printed by Playbill!), a registration swag bag and access to the BroadwayCon Marketplace.

A $50 Explorer Pass will grant admission to the BroadwayCon Marketplace, allowing curious theatre lovers to browse through a host of vendors, shop for merchandise from Broadway shows and more.

For tickets, full schedule details and more, visit BroadwayCon.com.

Playbill.com will be reporting from BroadwayCon throughout the weekend. From photos and videos, to exclusive interviews, we are your go-to source for Con coverage. In addition, we've broken down our coverage on all our social media platforms so you can get the full experience — plus insider info and exclusive content. Here's how to feel like you're in the room where it happened even if you can't make it to NYC this weekend. 

Wish You Were Here: The Social Media Guide to BroadwayCon

From the stars and creators of Hamilton, original cast members from Rent, Spring Awakening, The Secret Garden and Side Show, to the creative teams and producers behind Next to Normal, Legally Blonde, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Kinky Boots, Clybourne Park, The Normal Heart and "Smash" – BroadwayCon has something for every type of theatre lover.

David Alpert, associate director of Broadway's If/Then, The Trip to Bountiful and The Best Man, serves as artistic director of BroadwayCon MainStage programming, which features a diverse array of events that range from a full-out mini-musical, to late-night cabarets and game show-style moments that invite the audience to join in the fun.

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Rob McClure and David Alpert Photo by Monica Simoes

Expect a number of high-profile cameos from Broadway favorites during the Jan. 22 MainStage opening ceremony, featuring an original song from the writers of First Date and the upcoming 17 Again musical. "We're going to kick off the MainStage Programming at full throttle, in a way only a Broadway convention can do — with a fully staged mini-musical!" Alpert says. "We have an amazingly talented cast, a live band and surprise cameos, all to welcome everyone to the convention. We've enlisted Broadway writers Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner to compose a new song for the event, and are also working with YouTube sensation Tessa Netting, who happens to write amazing parodies."

Here's a look at more highlights of the weekend:

Original cast members of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Jonathan Larson musical Rent will reunite to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the landmark show. Appearing are Tony Award nominee Rapp, Tony winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Fredi Walker and Rodney Hicks, alongside choreographer Marlies Yearby and original conductor Tim Weil.

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Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal in Rent Photo by Joan Marcus

"Welcome to Our House on Maple Avenue: The Fun Home Panel," featuring book writer and lyricist Lisa Kron and cast members Michael Cerveris, Judy Kuhn, Beth Malone and Emily Skeggs.

"OBSESSED! Live Disaster! Edition," takes your favorite Obsessed! videos and brings it to you in person! The show's creator and star, Seth Rudetsky, will be joined by fellow cast members Roger Bart, Faith Prince, Kerry Butler and Jennifer Simard for a special live edition of the popular Playbill video series.

"History is Happening In Manhattan: The Hamilton Panel," featuring star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, along with co-stars Leslie Odom, Jr., Phillipa Soo, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Groff and Christopher Jackson.

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Lin-Manuel Miranda and cast of Hamilton Joan Marcus

"History in the Making: The Female Force Behind Waitress," featuring composer-lyricist Sara Bareilles, book writer Jessie Nelson and director Diane Paulus, who will discuss the anticipated, pop-driven production that arrives on Broadway in March.

"Something Wonderful: A Look Behind The King and I," which will include director Bartlett Sher, choreographer Christopher Gattelli, lighting designer Donald Holder, sound designer Scott Lehrer, scenic designer Michael Yeargan, costume designer Catherine Zuber and Ted Chapin, president and executive director of Rodgers & Hammerstein: An Imagem Company.

"To Us and Our Good Fortune: The Fiddler on the Roof Panel," featuring Sheldon Harnick, Jessica Hecht, Alexandra Silber, Adam Kantor, Samantha Massell, Michael C. Bernardi and Jeffrey Schecter.

Mo Rocca will follow that up by moderating "A Conversation With Sheldon Harnick." The veteran lyricist will speak about his 50-plus years in the theatre, as two of his most popular musicals — Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me — return to Broadway this season.

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Adam Kantor and Alexandra Silber Photo by Joan Marcus

"When Life Gives You Eggs, Make an Omelette: The Something Rotten! Panel," featuring Tony winner Christian Borle, John Cariani and Brian d'Arcy James.

"Deaf West, East – The Spring Awakening Panel," featuring Austin P. McKenzie, Andy Mientus, Sandra Mae Frank, Katie Boeck, Alex Boniello, Daniel N. Durant, T.J. Kearney, Spencer Liff and Krysta Rodriguez.

"Behind The Mask: Record-Breaking Players from Broadway's Phantom," featuring Howard McGillin, Sandra Joseph, Sam Fleming and Kristen Blodgette.

"Les Misérables: Beyond the Barricades," featuring Robert Billig, Jennifer Butt, Joanna Glushak, Randy Graff, Joseph Kolinski, Jordan Leeds, Donna Vivino and Andrew Zerman.

The Musical Lovers' Guide to BroadwayCon! Schedules For Ultimate Fans, Souvenir Lovers and Insiders

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John Dewar, Paul Harman, Frances Ruffelle, Colm Wilkinson, Randy Graff, David Bryant and Judy Kuhn in the original Broadway cast of Les Miz Photo by Michael Le Poer Trench

Also participating in the weekend are Broadway siblings Andrew and Celia Keenan-Bolger, Darren Criss, Michael Reidel, Jeremy Jordan, Lesli Margherita, Stark Sands, Alex Brightman, Ryann Redmond, Lena Hall, Sydney Lucas, Jordan Roth, Julie James, Frank DiLella, Nick Adams, Christine Pedi, John McDaniel, Amanda Green, Joan Marcus, Tom Viertel, Paige Davis, Alice Ripley, Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Sawyer Nunes, Sam Poon, Taylor Richardson, Ripley Sobo, Natalie Weiss, Rebecca Luker, Joshua Safran, Ann Harada, John Johnson, Hal Luftig, Arielle Tepper Madover, Daryl Roth, Barbara Whitman, Bernard Telsey, Lisa Howard, Carly Hughes, Taylor Louderman, Rob McClure, Alysha Umphress, Susan Blackwell, Jenn Colella, Gavin Creel, Matt Doyle, Tamika Lawrence, Telly Leung, Michael McElroy, Andy Mientus, Steve Rosen, Sarah Saltzberg, Dan Lipton, David Rossmer, Laurence O'Keefe, Susan L. Schulman, Jennifer Ashley Tepper, Peter Filichia, Stacy Wolf, Paloma Young and many more!

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Jennifer Ashley Tepper

For the full BroadwayCon schedule of events, including workshops, autograph sessions and details on the theatrical marketplace, visit BroadwayCon.com.

Fans, we've got you covered. Check out our insider round-ups on how to make most out of your BroadwayCon weekend in NYC!

BroadwayCon Eats: The Complete Guide to Snacking and Dining All Convention Long

Visit Hamilton's Home or Belt Show Tunes in a Bar – The Top NYC Things To Do Around BroadwayCon

Check out all our BroadwayCon official guides here!

 
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