Inside The Festival: See Broadway’s Biggest Stars Backstage, Onstage and Behind the Scenes (Exclusive Photos)

Dave QuinnSat, August 15, 2026 at 8:05 PM UTC

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Credit: Austin Ruffer -

Broadway stars like Audra McDonald and Kelli O’Hara are headlining a first-of-its-kind musical theater festival in New York

The three-day event at Hutton Brickyards features exclusive performances, unexpected collaborations and behind-the-scenes moments

PEOPLE is capturing candid backstage photos and onstage highlights, updating the gallery throughout the weekend

Broadway’s biggest stars have taken over the Hudson Valley, and PEOPLE is bringing you backstage.

The Festival — the first-of-its-kind three-day gathering built entirely around musical theater — is underway at Hutton Brickyards Riverfront Hotel + Venue in Kingston, N.Y., bringing thousands of theater fans together with some of the stage’s most celebrated performers.

PEOPLE is there all weekend long, capturing exclusive photos of the stars both onstage and behind the scenes.

The inaugural event features a packed lineup including Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christopher Jackson, Mandy Gonzalez, Alex Newell, Norbert Leo Butz, Reeve Carney, Eva Noblezada and many more, with performances unfolding across the sprawling riverfront grounds.

There are also plenty of moments that audiences won’t get to see.

PEOPLE’s exclusive photos take fans backstage for candid reunions, intimate portraits and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the performers throughout the weekend — along with all the big numbers, unexpected collaborations and memorable moments happening onstage.

Keep checking back as PEOPLE updates this gallery with new exclusive photos from The Festival throughout the weekend.

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Solea Pfeiffer

Solea PfeifferCredit: Austin Ruffer

Solea Pfeiffer closes out Day 1 of The Festival on Friday, Aug. 14 with a Kasey Musgrave cover at the Campfire Stage

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Mandy Gonzalez and Company

Mandy GonzalezCredit: Austin Ruffer

The rhythm got Mandy Gonzalez (center) and The Festival’s company of dancers as they performed a series of Gloria Estefan hits from On Your Feet on Friday, Aug. 14 during The Big Show at the Broadway Direct Stage

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Gianmarco Soresi and Alex Newell

Gianmarco Soresi and Alex NewellCredit: MichaelahReynolds

Gianmarco Soresi and Alex Newell pose backstage during The Festival’s opening Big Show on Friday, Aug. 14

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Alex Newell

Alex NewellCredit: Austin Ruffer

Alex Newell brings big vocals to The Festivals’ Big Show on Friday, Aug. 14

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Jasmine Amy Rogers

Jasmine Amy RogersCredit: Austin Ruffer

BOOP! breakout Jasmine Amy Rogers sings a song from the musical as The Festival kicks off Day 1 on Friday, Aug. 14

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Christopher Jackson and Mandy Gonzalez

Christopher Jackson and Mandy GonzalezCredit: MichaelahReynolds

They’re home! In the Heights stars Christopher Jackson and Mandy Gonzalez reunite on Friday, Aug. 14 before taking the stage to sing “When You’re Home” at The Festival’s Big Show

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Mandy Gonzalez

Credit: Austin Ruffer

After singing “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from Sunset Boulevard again, Mandy Gonzalez takes in the applause from the crowd during The Big Show at The Festival on Friday, Aug. 14

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Alex Newell

Credit: Austin Ruffer

Alex Newell serves looks backstage at The Festival on Friday, Aug. 14

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Gianmarco Soresi

Gianmarco SoresiCredit: Austin Ruffer

Comedian Gianmarco Soresi warms up the crowd at The Festival’s Big Show on Friday, Aug. 14

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Adam Pascal, Tess Soltau and Cara Rose DiPietro

Adam Pascal, Tess Soltau and Cara Rose DiPietroCredit: Michaelah Reynolds

Adam Pascal, Tess Soltau and Cara Rose DiPietro pose backstage on Day 1 of The Festival, before the opening number of The Big Show on Friday, Aug. 14

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Eva Noblezada and Reeve Carney

Eva Noblezada and Reeve CarneyCredit: Austin Ruffer

Eva Noblezada cheers on Reeve Carney as he performs on the Broadway Direct Stage during Day 1 of The Festival on Friday, Aug. 14

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Eva Noblezada

Eva NoblezadaCredit: Austin Ruffer

Eva Noblezada performs on the Broadway Direct Stage during Day 1 of The Festival on Friday, Aug. 14

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Reeve Carney

Reeve CarneyCredit: Austin Ruffer

Reeve Carney takes the mic on Friday, Aug. 14, during his performance on the Broadway Direct Stage on Day 1 of The Festival

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Javier Muñez

Javier MuñezCredit: MichaelahReynolds

Javier Muñez shares a smile between stages on Day 1 of The Festival on Friday, Aug. 14

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