Playbill is thrilled and honored to be producing PLAYBILL PRIDE 2023–a series of events dedicated to celebrating the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community.
In 2014, Playbill established Playbill.com/Pride, dedicated to Pride coverage and events. Each June, our iconic yellow masthead is replaced with a rainbow design in recognition of, and honoring, Pride month. With diversity, equality, equity, visibility, and inclusion as the principals guiding our programming, this year Playbill Pride will include multiple articles, events, and a one-of-a-kind celebration in Times Square Pride Weekend; all benefiting non-profits that work for and with the LGBTQIA+ community. See below for our exciting Pride event line up.
June 23 and 24, 2023
Playbill and Times Square Alliance are PROUD to partner on the second-annual Pride in Times Square–a festival of concerts, performances, sing-alongs, and interactive installations celebrating NYC Pride Weekend! With the support of Pride NYC and our sponsors American Express, ViiV Healthcare, and Audible Theater, top-stage and screen celebrities, LGBTQIA+ non-profit organizations, Broadway/Off-Broadway productions, and more, Pride in Times Square promises to be even more exciting and thrilling this year! #PrideinTimesSq
June 24, 2023
Join Playbill as New York and Times Square “ignite the night” with THE BIG BROADWAY DISCO–a large-scale street party that invites revelers to dance the night away to classic and contemporary Broadway songs and performances–all with a disco flare and performed in the heart of New York City: Times Square. With the Playbill Pride Float acting as a focal point for the night, guests will experience a Pride celebration like no other, while entertained by DJ’s, singers, performers, fabulous costumes, and more on Saturday June 24th beginning at 5pm. #BwayDisco
FRIDAY JUNE 23RD
12:15-1:00pm & 1:15-2:00pm – The Playbill Pride Mix
Located on Pride Piano Bar Stage
Join 2021 Richard Rodgers Award-winning pianist Brandon James Gwinn,
as he shares in song and celebration on the Pride Piano Bar Stage!
2:00-2:30pm - Pride Kick Off Celebration
Located on Pride in Times Square Main Stage
A taste of the Saturday Disco, the event will have singers and speakers
helping to kick off the event. James T Lane and L Morgan Lee,
our hosts, will welcome all and help to countdown to confetti start. Press
will be onsite for this event.
2:30-3:00pm – The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce Pride Celebration
Located on Pride in Times Square Main Stage
Special performers, the
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), business voice of the LGBTQ+ community and certifying body for
LGBTQ+-owned businesses nationwide, and Grubhub, a leading U.S. food-ordering and delivery marketplace, will join
Pride in Times Square
to present NGLCC/Grubhub Community Impact Grant Program funds to NYC-based LGBTQ+ and allied bars and restaurants.
3:00-3:30pm – Eric Krop in Times Square
Located on Pride Piano Bar Stage
Join Eric Krop (Broadway: Godspell, TV: FOX’s I Can See Your
Voice) as he shares original songs and stories, celebrating
Pride in Times Square.
3:30-4:15pm – ViiV Healthcare presents: “Celebrate You!”
Located on Pride in Times Square Main Stage
ViiV Healthcare celebrates the choices that make us all unique.
It’s time to embrace-not-erase
. Audiences in Times Square will experience an amazing line up of proudly
queer talent, here to celebrate and support our queens everywhere.
4:15-4:45pm – The NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity Presents the Summer
Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Pride Kick Off
Located on Pride Piano Bar Stage
Members of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity, the Unity Project, the NYC
Department of Youth and Community Development, and more kick-off the
inaugural year of Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Pride! SYEP is
launching this initiative to connect young people who identify as LGBTQIA+
with supportive, welcoming summer jobs and career experiences. The kick-off
for this exciting new program will include songs, stories, and guest
speakers!
5:15-7:00pm – “Anthems of Pride” presented by American Express
Located on Pride in Times Square Main Stage
A long-standing supporter of Broadway, American Express will present the
first “Anthems of Pride” concert on the Playbill Main Stage. Theaters across
the globe have been recognized as safe spaces for generations and “Anthems
of Pride” will celebrate the deep-rooted relationship between the LGBTQIA+
community and Broadway. Cast members from long-running classics and new
smash-hit productions sponsored by American Express, including
& Juliet, Hamilton, SIX, Some Like It Hot, Shucked, and more will perform in this inaugural celebration of musical anthems
from the Pride community.
SATURDAY JUNE 24TH
11:15am-12:00pm – Spotlight On: TNB2S+ Songwriters
Located on Pride in Times Square Main Stage
Join Breaking the Binary Theatre and
director JJ Maley as they showcase the work of some of the brightest
transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+) composers writing in the
theater today.
12:00-12:30pm – Lianah Sta. Ana - Songs from Performing Filipina
Located on Pride Piano Bar Stage
Join Lianah Sta. Ana (Broadway: Miss Saigon, Nat. Tour:
Waitress) as she shares songs and stories from her musical, Performing
Filipina, celebrating Pride in Times Square.
12:30PM-1:30pm – Pride in Times Square Presents: The NYC Gay Men’s
Chorus
Located on Pride in Times Square Main Stage
Join the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus as they
celebrate Pride with a concert of songs, performed in the heart of New York
City: Times Square!
1:30-2:00pm – Billy Recce in Times Square
Located on Pride Piano Bar Stage
Join Billboard Charting and award-winning composer, singer/songwriter, and
playwright Billy Recce (Little Black Book, A Musical About Star
Wars) as he and his merry band of misfits share his bawdy brand of songs
and queer musical theatre chaos in celebration of Pride in Times Square.
4:30-5:00pm – Zoe Sarnak and Friends
Located on Pride Piano Bar Stage
Join Jonathan Larson Award-winner Zoe Sarnak (The Lonely Few) and
friends as they share Zoe’s original songs and stories, celebrating
Pride in Times Square.
5:00-7:30pm – Second Annual Big Broadway Disco
Located on Pride in Times Square Main Stage
Playbill and Times Square will “ignite the night” with the second-annual BIG
BROADWAY DISCO – a large-scale street party that invites revelers to dance
the night away to classic and contemporary Broadway songs and performances –
all with a disco flare and performed in the heart of New York City.
Guests will experience a Pride celebration like no other, while
being entertained by DJ’s, performers, fabulous costumes, and more.
#BwayDisco.
DAILY
INTERACTIVE PRIDE INSTALLATIONS
Pedestrians and audiences in Times Square will have the opportunity to
connect with Pride in Times Square sponsors American Express, ViiV
Healthcare, and Audible Theater with exciting and interactive Double Decker
Buses, acting as anchor points for audiences to explore on Friday June 23rd and Saturday June 24th. Select buses will then
become part of the NYC Pride March on Sunday June 25th down 5th Avenue.
TIMES SQUARE ALLIANCE BUSINESS & SOCIAL PROMOTIONS
The Times Square Alliance will celebrate the best of the neighborhood's Pride discounts, deals, giveaways, and special menu items from local businesses all month long. Special offers will appear at TSQ.org/PrideDeals from Times Square restaurants, shops, shows, and attractions that celebrate and support the most colorful month of the year. Plus, experience #SignsOfPride in Times Square with displays of Pride flags and rainbows on screens and billboards throughout the Crossroads of the World.
Pride In Times Square is sponsored by American Express, ViiV Healthcare, and Audible Theater, with additional support from Hotel Edison, The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), Open Jar Studios, the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and the NYC Unity Project .
Technical Event Production for Pride in Times Square is by iDeko, with General Management by ShowTown Theatricals.