Elsie Fest is an annual musical festival created by singer/songwriter Darren Criss. The festival features stars and music from the stage and screen and it caters to everyone who loves musicals.  October 8th, 2017 marked it’s third year. The lineup for Elsie Fest 2017 included Alan Cumming, Lea Michele, Darren Criss, and Jeremy Jordan, with special guests Ingrid Michaelson, Norm Lewis, Auli’l Carvalho, Keala Settle, The Band’s Visit, and Miss Saigon on Broadway. As NYC’s first music festival, Elsie Fest celebrates everyone who shares a passion for musicals. Some past performers from previous festivals include Leslie Odom Jr., Cynthia Erivo, Aaron Tveit, Lea Salonga, Gaten Matarazzo, Todrik Hall, and more. 

In Summerstage, Central Park, people could pay extra to attend an early meet and greet with some performers. Officially starting at 6:00 pm, Jeremy Jordan performed first with Broadway Here I Come from Smash. Darren Criss ended with Free Falling by Tom Petty, as a tribute to the deceased artist, who died earlier in the year.

Click here to see the video of Darren Criss and Lea Michele singing Tom Petty's "Free Falling."  

Since next year’s Elsie Fest isn’t going to be announced until later next year, for more information on this years Elsie Fest go to https://www.elsiefest.com .

photo credits: https://www.elsiefest.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK3HPtw7O2E