BroadwayCon 2024 offers community, love for theater and the bizarre
At the end of a panel showcasing Broadway understudies and alternates, a father sitting next to his young daughter took a moment to thank the participants.
"You helped me see how smart my daughter is," he said with a laugh, adding she always excitedly welcomes opening her Playbill to see understudy slips while other members of the audience groan.
It was a small moment, but perhaps it sums up the best parts of BroadwayCon, the convention celebrating all things theater, which took place July 26 to 28 at the New York Hilton Midtown.
The panel peeled back the curtain on the world of understudies, swings and alternates, educating those in attendance on what they do and how talented they are. It also entertained, with incredible performances and stories from Miki Abraham, Aubrey Matalon and Mia Pinero.
BroadwayCon
BroadwayCon, the brainchild of Anthony Rapp ("Rent"), Melissa Anelli and Stephanie Dornhelm, has been bringing fans, stars, technical wizards, historians and creative teams together for nine years.
Over three days, there were panels, performances, game shows, professional skills workshops, a marketplace full of theater memorabilia and merchandise — and cosplayers around every corner.
At BroadwayCon, a spontaneous sing-along is just as likely to break out as a heated "discussion" about the best Mama Rose.
If a performer mentions something utterly bizarre that happened to them during a performance seven years ago, the odds are pretty good someone in the audience will pop up and say "I was there."
It just draws that kind of fan.
Everyone from Broadway newbies to seasoned professionals can find something to keep them happy, whether it's a Dungeons & Dragons demonstration, a discussion about puppetry onstage, a look at the intersection of autism and theater, or a chat with "Parade" playwright Alfred Uhry.
Attendees saw a look at current hits like "Suffs" and "The Outsiders," as well as a sneak peek at upcoming Broadway productions.
Longtime favorite James Monroe Iglehart ("Aladdin," "Hamilton") offered a spellbinding rendition of the title track of the upcoming "A Wonderful World" musical, based on the life of Louis Armstrong. Iglehart later gave some insight into his transformation into the iconic jazzman during the Blizzard Party Line, an annual call-in event born during the very first BroadwayCon, when a blizzard paralyzed the city.
Other notable moments throughout the weekend included a Disney on Broadway 30th anniversary sing-along from Kara Lindsay ("Newsies"), Patti Murin ("Frozen"), Josh Strickland ("Tarzan") and Marcus Martin, who is soon to join "Aladdin" on Broadway after playing the Genie on the road.
Ben Cameron handled Mainstage hosting duties with his usual humor, knowledge and perfect blend of theater love and irreverence.
L Morgan Lee spoke for many when she said how much she looks forward to seeing the same folks every year and hearing about their accomplishments.
BroadwayCon 2025
For its 10th anniversary, BroadwayCon announced a surprise that was welcome news to many attendees — it's returning to its winter roots. BroadwayCon 2025 will take place Feb. 7 to 9 at the New York Hilton Midtown.
For ticket updates, expected guests and more information, visit broadwaycon.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: BroadwayCon 2024 offers performances, laughs, community
