Following Broadway’s official reopening weekend, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) announced that it is bringing back the Off-Broadway in the Boros Fest, a series of off- and off-off-Broadway theatrical performances.
The five-day festival — running from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3 at various locations throughout the five boroughs, including a showing in Jackson Heights on Sept. 30 — aims to spotlight local performing artists while offering free entertainment to New Yorkers in neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic.
Each two-hour performance will take place at a designated Department of Transportation Plaza, Open Street or Open Culture location, which leverages Open Culture, an existing program that allows communities to embrace new public spaces and support small businesses.
The performances will feature a combination of theatrical elements, including concert versions of current or new off- and off-off-Broadway musicals; musicians playing jazz and Dominican rock fusion; tap dancers; singers; circus performers; Brazilian drummers and LatinX dance troupes.
“As we reopen theaters and safely bring back live performances in New York City, we are excited to highlight our off- and off-off-Broadway communities, companies and performers with the Off-Broadway in the Boros Fest,” said Anne del Castillo, Commissioner of the MOME. “These outdoor events allow residents to once again enjoy the performing arts in the creative capital of the world.”
The Queens event will take place on 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets in Jackson Heights on Thursday, Sept. 30, from 3 to 5 p.m. Performance highlights will include Gazillion Bubble Show, Hell’s Kitchen Happiness Krewe, Pregones/PRTT’s “TORCHED!” and Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. Each venue is wheelchair accessible and features ASL interpreters.
The festival, produced by MOME with Holly-Anne Devlin and CSM Sport and Entertainment, is meant to be enjoyed by New Yorkers of all ages.
“Culture never truly closed during the pandemic, and that’s especially true here in The World’s Borough. As Queens and our city begin to recover, we couldn’t be prouder to welcome Off-Broadway in the Boroughs Fest and elevate the top-notch theatrical talent here in our borough,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said. “These performances are not to be missed, and we encourage all our Queens families to come out and support our incredible performing artists.”
Other performances will be held in Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. The full festival lineup can be found at nyc.gov/offbwayboros.
