BWW TV: Watch Highlights from First Annual Elsie Fest, Feat. Darren Criss, Lea Salonga, Aaron Tveit & More!

By: Sep. 30, 2015
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On Sunday, September 27, thousands of Broadway's biggest fans gathered at Pier 97 for what's being called the Coachella of show tunes - the first annual Elsie Fest, a day-long music festival celebrating songs from the stage and screen. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the big day!

Elsie Fest kicked off with stage superstar Lea Salonga, who will return to Broadway in Allegiance this fall, where she performed favorites from Miss Saigon, Les Miserables and Aladdin.

Other performances throughout the day on the mainstage included YouTube sensation StarKid; Broadway personalitySeth Rudetsky; Tony nominee Laura Osnes; star of Fox's upcoming Grease live show Aaron Tveit, who sang tunes from Next to Normal and Catch Me If You Can, as well as his take on Taylor Swift's 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together'; and, Hamilton star Leslie Odom, Jr. Criss wrapped up the day with a punk rock version of Cabaret whose lyrics feature the festival's namesake, Elsie.

Surprise performances included Tyler Glenn from Neon Trees and Grammy award-winning duo A Great Big World.

The festival featured exclusive meet and greets, merchandise, food trucks and a MARIE'S CRISIS piano bar beer garden with pop-up performances from Anneliese Van Der Pol, Capathia Jenkins and Kate Rockwell.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Broadway Cares / Equity Fights Aids.



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