Elsie Fest 2016
Elsie Fest 2016
mpkie
Broadway Star Joined: 6/21/15
#1Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 7/25/16 at 9:36am
Announced this morning! Looks like a great lineup. Not sure about this venue though!
http://www.elsiefest.com/
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH AT 1PM
FORD AMPHITHEATER
at Coney Island Boardwalk
MEGAN HILTY, TITUSS BURGESS, DARREN CRISS, LENA HALL, JASON ROBERT BROWN, COREY COTT, REBEL AND A BASKETCASE, PASEK AND PAUL, JULIE JAMES, CYNTHIA ERIVO
What are your thoughts on the venue / lineup? Who's planning on going?
#2Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 7/25/16 at 11:02am
At least it's not the same weekend as the Flea Market this year! I assume they learned their lesson.
#3Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 7/25/16 at 11:23am
adamgreer said: "At least it's not the same weekend as the Flea Market this year! I assume they learned their lesson.
I would think this date has more to do with Darren's (and Lena's) schedule than anything as Hedwig starts in October in San Francisco. But yes - good that there isn't that conflict this year."
#4Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 7/25/16 at 11:46am
I don't know if Coney Island is any more convenient than a pier on the Hudson. I guess you can actually take the train all the way there, it's just further? So it's better?
But at least it doesn't overlap w/ the Flea, that's for sure.
#5Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 7/25/16 at 12:30pm
And then you can spend your Labor Day on the beach!
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
freewilma
Leading Actor Joined: 2/18/15
#6Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 7/25/16 at 3:49pm
how much were tickets last year??? Think they will be comparable this year?
#7Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 7/25/16 at 3:53pm
First thought that came to mind: Is this being sponsored by Borden?
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
mpkie
Broadway Star Joined: 6/21/15
#8Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 8/30/16 at 3:22pm
FYI - for anyone who entered Darren Criss Pop-Up Bar lottery on TodayTix: TodayTix is offering a pair of Elsie Fest tickets in the 200s sections for $39 ($29 + $10 fee) each. Deal valid only in a pair. Offer expires at midnight. Check your app.
Don't plan to go at the moment, nor do I have a +1, so if someone else ends up being solo, I might be willing to buy the other ticket off you :)
#9Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 8/30/16 at 3:28pm
Oooh, thanks for the heads up! Although I'm still praying I'll win this contest, lol:
https://www.hive.co/l/29gy8
LightsOut90
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/14
#10Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/2/16 at 2:37pm
A friend heard some offer went out for $19 tickets, anyone know what thats about? (i missed out on the $29 tickets)
MarkBearSF
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/25/11
#11Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/2/16 at 5:44pm
Could someone explain the name of the event? (Personally, I went to Sally Bowles' ex-roommate)
mpkie
Broadway Star Joined: 6/21/15
#12Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/2/16 at 6:26pm
MarkBearSF said: "Could someone explain the name of the event? (Personally, I went to Sally Bowles' ex-roommate)"
That's exactly right. What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play! Etc.
MarkBearSF
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/25/11
#13Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/2/16 at 6:32pm
mpkie said: "That's exactly right. What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play! Etc."
I'd expect the pills and liquor concession would be really valuable!
#14Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/2/16 at 11:33pm
Do we think there is a cancellation possibility with the storm coming? Coney Island beaches are closed.
LightsOut90
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/14
#15Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/3/16 at 1:02am
no because they are only closing the beach on sunday for swimming, if your a crazy person you can still go walk the boardwalk, beach but they dont want anyone in the water
#16Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/3/16 at 9:03pm
Tropical Cyclone high winds coastal floods expected on Monday in NY - wondering if Elsie Fest in Coney Island will be cancelled
LightsOut90
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/14
#17Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/4/16 at 2:06am
yeah they need to declare something on their social media considering people are coming from out of town for it.
#18Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/5/16 at 10:24pm
Cynthia Erivo singing You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen is divine.
LightsOut90
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/14
#20Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/6/16 at 12:21am
Here's my review of the day:
Megan Hilty: Reliable performer who consistently knocks it out of the park. Why is she not a bigger star? She is a true belter who plays up the "blonde" shtick, and it works for her. Saw her with the Pops recently, and it was pretty much the same thing. I'm a fan.
Titus Burgess: Way more versatile than I expected. His voice is straight out of the church, but he did a rendition of "Summertime" that was jazzy and smooth and a powerful version of "What's Goin' On" after urging everyone to vote.
"Stranger Things" boys: Not a whole lot to report. They came out and did "Fugue for Tinhorns" with Darren Criss and then each did their own numbers with their sisters. It was cute for what it was, and the boys have nice voices.
Corey Cott: Adorable and goofy when speaking, but when he sings, he exudes confidence. Of course "Santa Fe" was great, but he did "One Song" from Rent, and I think that was personal favorite.
Julie James: She has a nice voice, but she attempted to scat in her soprano, and it was a very bad decision. I like her, but her constant peppiness is a bit much and we know by the fifth time she mentions it that she is on Sirius; no need to state it another five times.
Todrick Hall: Bizarre going from Julie James to Todrick. I had never heard him until tonight, and I'm sold. It was high energy, fun songs, and a beautiful romantic duet with Darren Criss. Won me over.
Rebel and a Basketcase: Oy. This lasted way longer than it should have. I understand that they're Darren's friends and he wanted to have an eclectic group of performers, but at a musical theater festival, there should be musical theater songs performed. I'm fine if you want to mix in one or two of your own, but their entire set was their own alternative indie rock music. And it didn't end. I actually didn't hate the music, but this was entirely out of place and tedious.
Pasek and Paul: This was the highlight of the night for me. They sang some of their own songs and brought out Lindsay Mendez and Cynthia Erivo for some of the others. I cannot wait for Dear Evan Hansen, especially after hearing Pasek sing "Waving Through the Window" and Cynthia Erivo singing the act I closer. Their music is so melodic.
Jason Robert Brown: Well, he seems like an interesting one. Clearly a fan of himself. The man is talented, so I get it. He sang a bunch of the songs including "Moving Too Fast," "I Love Betsy" and "It All Fades Away." Cynthia Erivo came out to do one from Last 5 Years also.
Lena Hall: Similar to Rebel and a Basketcase (although not to the same extent), she and her band sang lots of their own rock tunes. She did a couple of radio-friendly songs including "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" and of course sang "Origin of Love." The girl's voice is sick, but way too much rock for me.
Darren Criss: He is so enthusiastic about musical theater and it's infectious. Liz Callaway came out to sing "Journey to the Past" with him, and he sang a bunch of other great ones including "Cabaret" (couldn't pass up the "Elsie" lyric nod). Have to hand it to him for putting a wonderful day together.
Overall, the day was lots of fun. There were some great performances at the piano in between sets including Laura Osnes and little Alison from Fun Home doing "Ring of Keys." The place was easy to get to and the seats were fine. Food and bathrooms didn't have long lines either. I'd go again next year.
#21Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/6/16 at 5:16am
Drama, Julie James is an acquired taste on Sirius XM. Yes, she's smart and knowledgeable about the theatre, but she "waaaay over does it" on praising her guests. Her gushing is annoying to the extreme. Plus, she reminds me of Michael Riedel in a ways. She interrupts her guests constantly. Her guests have to fight to get in a word edgewise.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#22Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/6/16 at 1:58pm
I like that this event exists, even if sometimes it is uneven.
ren598
Leading Actor Joined: 10/13/15
#23Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/7/16 at 11:12am
For anyone interested, I've uploaded 21 videos from Elsie Fest 2016 to the below playlist. I've got more videos, but it has taken a lot longer than expected to edit and upload the videos. I'll add to the new videos to this playlist as I upload them.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiHqD-T4otnCwiQ_t6371xEk6DLDTSpe_
Enjoy!
ren598
Leading Actor Joined: 10/13/15
#24Elsie Fest 2016
Posted: 9/8/16 at 1:18pm
51 videos from Elsie Fest 2016 uploaded. More to come.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiHqD-T4otnCwiQ_t6371xEk6DLDTSpe_
