New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Will Celebrate New York & London Theatre in CURTAIN UP Exhibition

New York's Broadway and London's West End have long been the biggest destinations for live theater, and now, a new exhibition opening at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts honors the rich creative talent and award-winning productions in both cities. Co-curated by The Library for the Performing Arts and the V&A, where the exhibition debuted earlier this year, in partnership with the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), Curtain Up: Celebrating the Last 40 Years of Theatre in New York and London highlights how the theatre districts of both cities have flourished and developed since 1976. The exhibition, which opens at The Library for the Performing Arts in Lincoln Center onOctober 31, 2016 and is on display through June 30, 2017.

Curtain Up features costumes, designs, models, photographs, archival production materials and multimedia elements from the V&A and The Library for the Performing Arts' unique collections, with many items on display to the public for the first time. The exhibition also celebrates the coincidence of two anniversaries of the biggest awards for commercial theatre: 40 years of the Olivier Awards in London and 70 years of the Tonys® in New York. By telling the story of plays, musicals and productions that have won or been nominated for both an Olivier and a Tony Award, Curtain Up explores the craft and collaboration that creates spectacular international theatre.

Curtain Up is designed by Alan Farlie for RFK Architects and Tom Piper, the acclaimed designer and theater-maker renowned for his Tower of London poppies installation, Blood Swept Land And Seas of Red, a collaboration with ceramic artist Paul Cummins, saw 888,246 ceramic poppies flood the moat at the Tower of London to mark the centenary of World War I.

"Like many of the shows featured in this exhibition, Curtain Up is now making the journey to New York after a stunning debut in London," said Jacqueline Z. Davis, Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Executive Director of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. "London and New York have a unique relationship in the theatre world, sharing and enriching each other's creative communities and delighting audiences with productions originating in both cities. We are very proud to be co-producers of this exhibition."

"After a tremendously successful run at the V&A," said Julian Bird, Chief Executive, Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre Association, "we're delighted that Curtain Up is now transferring to The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. The exhibition is the result of the collaborative spirit between the world's the two great theatre cities and the close relationship between the Olivier and Tony awards. Across the world, these awards have become the mark of theatrical excellence and the exhibition celebrates all the hard work and craft that goes into performing these spectacular shows."

"In the spirit of the great transatlantic collaborations, the V&A Department of Theatre and Performance is delighted to be working with our colleagues at The New York Public Library for Performing Arts and the Society of London Theatre," said Geoffrey Marsh, Director, V&A Department of Theatre and Performance. "Following the run of the exhibition in London, it has been wonderful to work with colleagues to add additional material showing the creative process and practitioners behind award winning theatre."

Exhibition highlights include:

• More than 14 costumes from original productions of Kinky Boots, Jersey Boys, The Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, The Audience, Mary Poppins, Wicked and others
• Set models from Carousel, Sunday in the Park with George, In the Heights, which was recently acquired by The Library for the Performing Arts, An Inspector Calls, Arcadia, Matilda, and War Horse
• Masks and costumes from The Lion King
• An installation of A Chorus Line, featuring iconic top hats from one of the show's most famous scenes
• Original Chicago costumes from William Ivey Long
• Historic promotional posters and other unique marketing materials
• Olivier and Tony awards
• Sound-mixing interactive kiosk featuring Hairspray

In conjunction with the exhibition, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts will also present a series of free public programs and screenings.

---

Curtain Up Public Programs

**Unless otherwise noted, all programs and screenings listed below are free and take place at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza. Advance registration recommended online or in person at the Library's Welcome Desk. Visit nypl.org/curtainup for details.**

Saturday, October 29 @ 7pm

Curtain Up Sing Along Show and Tell

To mark the opening of the new exhibition Curtain Up, the Library presents a sing-along show-and-tell, featuring beloved show tunes from the Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning musicals of the last 40 years. Learn about the creation process of A Chorus Line, Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera, and other award-winning shows; see composer's hand-written drafts, beautiful scenic and costume designs, and other fascinating artifacts from the Library's collections; and sing along to live performances of your favorite musical hits.

Thursday, November 3 @ 6pm

FILM | Every Little Step

Directed by Adam Del Deo and James D. Stern

2009, 93 minutes

Documentary about the original production and revival of A Chorus Line.

Thursday, November 10 @ 6pm

Legacy with The Philhallmonics

To celebrate Curtain Up, enjoy this performance of songs of happiness, hope, and inspiration from such shows as Aladdin, Annie Get Your Gun, Bye Bye Birdie, Candide, Company, Easter Parade, Fosse, Funny Girl, La Cage aux Folles, Man of La Mancha, On A Clear Day, Once On This Island, Rent, The Wizard Of Oz, West Side Story, Wicked, and others. Directed by arranger and creator of The Philhallmonics, Phil Hall, the program will feature Philhallmonic favorites Karen Arlington, Linda Moshier, Bruce Rebold, John DiBartolo as well as newcomers Gelan Lambert, Mary Lee Marson, Bill Newhall, Erica Penn, and Julie Waldman-Stiel.

Thursday, November 17 @ 6pm

FILM | Amadeus

Directed by Milos Forman

1984, 160 minutes

American production of the Olivier-nominated and Tony-winning British play by Peter Shaffer, with a Czech director and largely American cast (including Tom Hulce and Best Actor Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham). Winner of eight Academy Awards and four BAFTAs.

Thursday, November 29 @ 7pm

Moves Like Fosse: An Interactive Celebration of the Fosse, Verdon Legacy

Broadway performer, choreographer, and teacher Dana Moore is the keeper of the Fosse flame. Join us for an interactive evening honoring the legacies of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Moore comes to the Library to teach Fosse's signature style and gestures. See artifacts from the Library's collections of Fosse shows, like Chicago, The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees, and Pippin. Hear Moore's memories of her studies with Fosse and Verdon, and take your own turn snapping fingers, rolling wrists, sinking hips, and moving like Fosse.

Thursday, December 15 @ 6pm

Curtain Up Conversation: John Kander

Famous for his work on Chicago, Cabaret, and other musical theater masterworks, composer John Kander transformed American musical theater, along with his songwriting partner Fred Ebb. Celebrating his many successes in London and New York, the Library welcomes Kander to the for a Curtain Up Conversation. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn about Kander's writing process, hear his memories from Broadway and the West End, while observing rarely seen artifacts from the Library's collections.

Monday, December 19 @ 6pm

FILM | Noises Off

Directed by Peter Bogdanovich

1992, 104 minutes

The setting of the Olivier-winning and Tony-nominated British play by Michael Frayn is transposed to the US and directed by Bogdanovich with a cast including Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Nicolette Sheridan, and Denholm Elliott.

Thursday, January 5 @ 6pm

FILM | Whose Life Is It, Anyway?

Directed by John Badham

1981, 119 minutes

Olivier-winning and Tony-nominated British play by Brian Clark is transposed to the US, with Badham directing and Richard Dreyfuss heading the American cast.

Friday, January 6 @ 7pm

Create a Character: An Evening with Makeup Artist Joe Dulude II

Joe Dulude II is probably best known for his makeup designs for the Olivier and Tony Award-winning hit musical Wicked. Since Wicked, he has added many Broadway credits, designing for Dr. Zhivago, On the Town, If/Then, Beautiful, The Wedding Singer, Grease!, Follies, Jekyll & Hyde, and more. He is a teacher of theatrical makeup at Pace University, Muhlenberg College, and the Hartt School. For this Library program, Dulude will discuss his craft, and perform a live demonstration of his creative process by designing an original character with the audience's help.

Thursday, February 2 @ 6pm

FILM | Evita

Directed by Alan Parker

1996, 135 minutes

Olivier- and Tony-winning Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical is brought to the screen by a British director, with an American star (Madonna, of course). Plus, Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Pryce. The film won an Oscar for Best Song, and was a BAFTA nominee.

Thursday, March 2 @ 6pm

FILM | Bent

Directed by Sean Mathias

1997, 105 minutes

This 1979 play by American playwright Martin Sherman premiered in England, where it was nominated for an Olivier Award, and then transferred to Broadway, where it received Tony nominations. The film version director is British, and features a mostly British cast, including Clive Owen and Mick Jagger.

Monday, March 20 @ 6pm

FILM | Dangerous Liaisons

Directed by Stephen Frears

1988, 119 minutes

This is the anglicized title of Christopher Hampton's Olivier-winning and Tony-nominated play Les Liaisons Dangereuses, brought to the screen with a British director and American cast (John Malkovich, Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer). Winner of three Oscars and two BAFTAs.

Thursday, April 6 @ 6pm

FILM | Closer

Directed by Mike Nichols

2004, 104 minutes

The Olivier-winning and Tony-nominated British play by Patrick Marber is filmed by Mike Nichols with a cast of both Brits (Jude Law, Clive Owen) and Americans (Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman). Oscar nominee, BAFTA winner.

Monday, April 17 @ 6pm

FILM | Proof

Directed by John Madden

2005, 101 minutes

Tony-winning and Olivier-nominated American play by David Auburn is mostly shot in England by a British director. American star Gwyneth Paltrow played the lead role in the West End, earning her an Olivier Award nomination. Her co-star is Anthony Hopkins.

Thursday, May 4 @ 6pm

FILM | Sweeney Todd

Directed by Tim Burton

2007, 117 minutes

Stephen Sondheim's Tony- and Olivier-winning musical is brought to the screen by an American director, filming in England with a mostly English cast (plus Johnny Depp).

Thursday, May 8 @ 6pm

Curtain Up Conversation: Harold Prince

Multiple Tony and Olivier award-winning producer and director Harold Prince is a theater legend. His brilliant influence can be seen again and again in many award-winning projects, featured in the Library's Curtain Up exhibition. Join us for an interview with Prince, illustrated by rare artifacts from the Library's Harold Prince archive.

Monday, May 15 @ 6pm

FILM | Frost/Nixon

Directed by Ron Howard

2008, 123 minutes

Olivier-nominated and Tony-winning British play by Peter Morgan is transferred to screen intact with lead actors Frank Langella and Michael Sheen. American Ron Howard is at the directorial helm. Nominated for five Oscars and seven BAFTAs.

Thursday, May 18 @ 6pm

"At Least I Galloped": A Tribute to Sir Peter Shaffer

Lecture by Alan Pally

Sir Peter Shaffer, the author of Equus and Amadeus, worked for The New York Public Library in the early 1950s. Fifty years later, he appeared on four public programs at The Library for the Performing Arts. Alan Pally, who produced those programs, will talk about his work with the playwright and show rarely seen footage of Sir Peter and his work.

Thursday, June 1 @ 6pm

FILM | Once

Directed by John Carney

2007, 85 minutes

Something different: a stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning Irish film is developed at American Repertory Theatre and New York Theatre Workshop by a largely British team before moving to Broadway (where it won eight Tonys in 2012), and then to the West End, where it was nominated for five Olivier Awards.

Monday, June 19 @ 6pm

FILM | Kinky Boots

Directed by Julian Jarrold

2005, 107 minutes

Also a stage adaptation, this British movie became an American musical, winning six Tonys, and transferred to the West End, where it won three 2016 Oliviers, including Best New Musical.

Curtain Up is organized by The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), and the Society of London Theatre, in association with Mastercard. A special thanks to Theatre Development Fund, the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League, and Disney Theatrical Productions for their support.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the leadership support of Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman. Additional support for exhibitions has been provided by Judy R. and Alfred A. Rosenberg and the Miriam and Harold Steinberg Foundation.