The Summer Concerts on the Hudson series, organized by the Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center, will conclude the summer season with “Broadway On the Hudson,” a one-night-only celebration of the Great White Way, on Monday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. on the Weehawken waterfront.
The Hudson Reporter is a co-sponsor of the concert series.
Among others, featured performers will include Vivian Reed (Tony nominee for “Bubbling Brown Sugar” and “Marie Christine”), Ashley Brown (the original Mary Poppins), Kyle Scatliffe (currently in “The Color Purple” and an Olivier Award nominee), Weehawken resident Chelsea Packard (formerly in Broadway’s “Wicked” and “Legally Blonde” and soon to join the cast of “Beautiful” in September), William Michals (recently featured in “Bright Star”), Ryan Silverman (“Chicago” and Drama Desk nominee for “Passion”), and Lisa Howard (Drama Desk nominee for “It Shoulda Been You”).
“I am excited to have the opportunity to perform in my own community,” said Chelsea Packard, who lives on the waterfront. “Moms I know are bringing their kids, and my husband is looking forward to bringing my 1-year-old to hear his mommy sing without having to hop the ferry!”
The concert will take place at Lincoln Harbor Park on the Weehawken waterfront. The venue is located on the left bank of the Hudson River directly across from midtown Manhattan, featuring a magnificent skyline view. Admission is free.
The concert will include a smorgasbord of great classic Broadway song and dance performances, with a total of 18 singers and dancers. The show will be hosted by Emmy award winner Nancy Giles.
Assembled by veteran talents
“Broadway on the Hudson” will be directed and choreographed by Scott Thompson, with musical direction by Fred Barton. This same team worked successfully to put together three prior Broadway evenings for Summer Concerts on the Hudson.
Thompson has directed and choreographed 100 award-winning musical theatre productions with major stars across the country, and Fred Barton is a Broadway conductor, symphonic arranger, and TV composer.
The Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center, Inc. (HRPAC), a New Jersey not-for-profit, presents this summer long series of open air concerts free of charge to the general public.
The group originally intended to build a performing arts center on the waterfront, and still hopes to see a dedicated space some day.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to realize our dream of a year round waterfront arts center,” said concert series producer Bruce Sherman. “The costs involved were very high and, as we were gaining traction, the recession came and made the fundraising impossible. However, we still hope to build a performance pavilion for the summer concerts. New building codes after Hurricane Sandy make this a more difficult task but we are still hopeful.”
The nitty gritty
Limited seating is available, but audience members are requested to bring a lawn chair or blanket, if possible, and encouraged to picnic on the lawn.
Lincoln Harbor Park is easily accessible by public transportation, including Light Rail and NJ Transit Bus 158 (in both cases, getting off at the Lincoln Harbor Light Rail stop), and NY Waterway Ferry to Lincoln Harbor. Free parking is also available for cars. Lincoln Harbor Park is located at the intersection of Waterfront Terrace and Harbor Boulevard and directly cross the road from 1600 Harbor Blvd.
Please note that in the event of inclement weather, the concert may be rescheduled to the following night. For more information, directions, late breaking concert news, and updates, please check the HRPAC website (www.hrpac.org) or call the concert info line at (201) 716-4540.