Darren Criss, Rachel Zegler and Broadway's Best Strike a Pose for PEOPLE Backstage at Elsie Fest 2024 (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Darren Criss kicks of Elsie Fest 2024 at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City.Photo:Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

The fun kicked off as the sun set on the city and continued as the lights of Manhattan and Brooklyn lit up the late summer sky.

“It’s important for me to keep this distinctly New York, but also distinctly about showcasing the breath of talent and strength of this industry,” Criss, 37, tells PEOPLE of the festival, which he first launched in 2015 (it returned this year after a two year absence). “It is a personal investment; not a financial one, but a spiritual and emotional investment in this community that has given me so much.”

Criss, who is a veteran of Broadway and will tread the boards again this fall in the upcoming new musicalMaybe Happy Ending, shares that he’s in “the service industry.”

“For me, this is a service to our community of people who love this world, this material, these people, this music, this tradition,” Criss says. “So anything I can do to try and give more back to those that I’ve also been a part of my whole life is also of great importance to me.”

Among the performers taking the stage wereRachel Zegler,Jordan Fisher,Joy Woods,John Gallagher Jr.,Will Butler,Lizzy McAlpineandRuPaul’s Drag Racealum Alaska.

All, and more, were captured on photos backstage PEOPLE can exclusively debut.

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Ryan Miller, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, Nick Blaemire and Taylor Trensch

Ryan Miller, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, Nick Blaemire and Taylor Trensch.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Both were on hand Sunday with stars Nkeki Obi-Melekwe and Taylor Trensch, who previewed the song “Go Time.” Performances of the musical begin Sept. 17 at the BAM Harvey Theater for a limited engagement through Oct. 20.

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Joe Serafini and Dara Reneé

Joe Serafini and Dara Reneé.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Fans also got to hear Renée sing “Perfect Revenge,” from the soundtrack to the new movieDescendants: The Rise of Red, in which she stars as Uliana, younger sister of Ursula.

03of 16Jordan FisherJordan Fisher.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestOne of the most emotional performances of the evening came from Fisher, who is currently starring inHadestown, when he took the stage to sing  “I’m Not Afraid Of Anything” from Jason Robert Brown’sSongs For A New World—a tune he said was a favorite of his wife,Ellie Woods.TheHamiltonvet also duetted with Criss on “Dear Theodosia,” the ballad from theLin-Manuel Mirandahit.

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Jordan Fisher

Jordan Fisher.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

One of the most emotional performances of the evening came from Fisher, who is currently starring inHadestown, when he took the stage to sing  “I’m Not Afraid Of Anything” from Jason Robert Brown’sSongs For A New World—a tune he said was a favorite of his wife,Ellie Woods.

TheHamiltonvet also duetted with Criss on “Dear Theodosia,” the ballad from theLin-Manuel Mirandahit.

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Julia Mattison and Noel Carey

‘Death Becomes Her’ composers Julia Mattison and Noel Carey.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Elsie Fest attendees got a preview of the season’s most anticipated hits when Julia Mattison and Noel Carey, the lyricist and composer of the musical adaptation ofDeath Becomes Her, appeared to sing “Let’s Run Away Together.” Their performance also featured the debut of new lyrics for the song, which was first heard when the musical premiered in Chicago this past spring.

05of 16AlaskaAlaska at Elsie Fest 2024.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestTheRuPaul’s Drag Race All Starschampion will conquer Off-Broadway withDrag: The Musical, the original show she wrote and created alongside collaborators Tomas Costanza and Ashley Gordon. Performances begin Sept. 30 at New World Stages, with opening night set for Oct. 21.Taking the stage with co-star Nick Adams, Alaska and the cast performed two songs from the show: “Queen Kitty” and “Two Bitches Are Better Than One.”

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Alaska

Alaska at Elsie Fest 2024.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

TheRuPaul’s Drag Race All Starschampion will conquer Off-Broadway withDrag: The Musical, the original show she wrote and created alongside collaborators Tomas Costanza and Ashley Gordon. Performances begin Sept. 30 at New World Stages, with opening night set for Oct. 21.

Taking the stage with co-star Nick Adams, Alaska and the cast performed two songs from the show: “Queen Kitty” and “Two Bitches Are Better Than One.”

06of 16Darren CrissDarren Criss.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestCriss offeredGleefans plenty to cheer about with five nods to the show that made him a household name, beginning with “Teenage Dream” — the Katy Perry hit he famously covered when his character, Blaine Anderson, was first introduced on the series. He also sang “Cough Syrup” and “Arthur’s Theme,” two others tunes he covered on the Fox hit.Later, Criss reunited with “Warblers” Telly Leung and Curt Mega, as well as Max Adler (who played Dave Karofsky onGlee) for a performance of “Sincere” fromThe Music Man.The special guests kept coming when former costarChord Overstreetcame out to end Criss' set, reprising another song they duetted on while onGlee: Billy Joel’s “Movin' Out (Anthony’s Song).”

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Darren Criss

Darren Criss.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Criss offeredGleefans plenty to cheer about with five nods to the show that made him a household name, beginning with “Teenage Dream” — the Katy Perry hit he famously covered when his character, Blaine Anderson, was first introduced on the series. He also sang “Cough Syrup” and “Arthur’s Theme,” two others tunes he covered on the Fox hit.

Later, Criss reunited with “Warblers” Telly Leung and Curt Mega, as well as Max Adler (who played Dave Karofsky onGlee) for a performance of “Sincere” fromThe Music Man.

The special guests kept coming when former costarChord Overstreetcame out to end Criss' set, reprising another song they duetted on while onGlee: Billy Joel’s “Movin' Out (Anthony’s Song).”

07of 16JC ChasezJC Chasez.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestElsewhere in his set, Criss brought out Chasez — who is penning the musical to the upcoming Frankenstein musical,Playing with Fire— for a performance of two *NSYNC hits: “It’s Gonna Be Me” and “Bye Bye Bye.““I’ve known JC Chasez for a long time from my time in Los Angeles,” Criss tells PEOPLE. “I met him and we got on really well. We were writing music together and he’s just been such a bench in my life. I’ll ask him to show up for shows that I’ll play, if I’m doing ‘90s songs, he’ll come up and say yes, which is beyond my wildest dreams.““I have to play it cool as if I think I belong singing his songs with him on stage,” Criss adds.” I was — I think people say this to be nice in interviews, like, ‘I was such a fan.’ But I was a f—ingfan! I am a f—ing fan of *NSYNC. I know that whole album like the back of my hand,No Strings Attached. And he was always one of my favorite singers so getting to be with him is pretty amazing.”

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JC Chasez

JC Chasez.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Elsewhere in his set, Criss brought out Chasez — who is penning the musical to the upcoming Frankenstein musical,Playing with Fire— for a performance of two *NSYNC hits: “It’s Gonna Be Me” and “Bye Bye Bye.”

“I’ve known JC Chasez for a long time from my time in Los Angeles,” Criss tells PEOPLE. “I met him and we got on really well. We were writing music together and he’s just been such a bench in my life. I’ll ask him to show up for shows that I’ll play, if I’m doing ‘90s songs, he’ll come up and say yes, which is beyond my wildest dreams.”

“I have to play it cool as if I think I belong singing his songs with him on stage,” Criss adds.” I was — I think people say this to be nice in interviews, like, ‘I was such a fan.’ But I was a f—ingfan! I am a f—ing fan of *NSYNC. I know that whole album like the back of my hand,No Strings Attached. And he was always one of my favorite singers so getting to be with him is pretty amazing.”

08of 16Jordan Fisher, Dez Duron, Helen J ShenJordan Fisher, Dez Duron, Helen J Shen.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestOther guests in Criss' set included an appearance from hisMaybe Happy Endingcostars Dez Duron (center) and Helen J Shen (right)Criss and Shen performed the title track, while Duron sang the ballad, “A Sentimental Person.”

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Jordan Fisher, Dez Duron, Helen J Shen

Jordan Fisher, Dez Duron, Helen J Shen.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Other guests in Criss' set included an appearance from hisMaybe Happy Endingcostars Dez Duron (center) and Helen J Shen (right)

Criss and Shen performed the title track, while Duron sang the ballad, “A Sentimental Person.”

09of 16Dez Duron, Andrew Barth Feldman and Joe SerafiniDez Duron, Andrew Barth Feldman and Joe Serafini.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestShen later joined Criss and boyfriend Andrew Barth Feldman (center) for a performance of “Granger Danger” fromA Very Potter Musical.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

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Dez Duron, Andrew Barth Feldman and Joe Serafini

Dez Duron, Andrew Barth Feldman and Joe Serafini.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Shen later joined Criss and boyfriend Andrew Barth Feldman (center) for a performance of “Granger Danger” fromA Very Potter Musical.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

10of 16Will ButlerWill Butler.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestButler, Arcade Fire alum andStereophoniccomposer rocked out to two songs from the Tony Award-winning play, “Drive and Masquerade.“Joining him on stage was a pair of background singers, and Justin Craig,Stereophonic’s music director.

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Will Butler

Will Butler.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Butler, Arcade Fire alum andStereophoniccomposer rocked out to two songs from the Tony Award-winning play, “Drive and Masquerade.”

Joining him on stage was a pair of background singers, and Justin Craig,Stereophonic’s music director.

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Joy Woods

Joy Woods.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Woods then sang her hit “My Days” fromThe Notebook, which has become a viral hit on TikTok.

12of 16Lola Tung, Solea Pfeiffer, Maia ReficcoLola Tung, Solea Pfeiffer, Maia Reficco.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestAs the music played on stage, palsLola Tung(The Summer I Turned Pretty),Solea Pfeiffer(Moulin Rouge!) andMaia Reficco(Pretty Little Liars) hung out backstage.All three haveHadestownin common, Tung and Pfeiffer previously cast in the role of Eurydice, which Reficco is currently is playing on Broadway.

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Lola Tung, Solea Pfeiffer, Maia Reficco

Lola Tung, Solea Pfeiffer, Maia Reficco.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

As the music played on stage, palsLola Tung(The Summer I Turned Pretty),Solea Pfeiffer(Moulin Rouge!) andMaia Reficco(Pretty Little Liars) hung out backstage.

All three haveHadestownin common, Tung and Pfeiffer previously cast in the role of Eurydice, which Reficco is currently is playing on Broadway.

13of 16Rachel ZeglerRachel Zegler.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestTheWest Side Storyscreen actress makes her Broadway debut in William Shakespeare’sRomeo + Julietthis month. But before that, Zegler made her Elsie Fest debut, taking the stage to belt out “Gimmie Gimmie” fromThoroughly Modern Milliewhile wearing a sparkling gold glitter two-piece.It was a highlight of the evening, and a performance that had the crowd cheering — especially as Zegler sang the song’s iconic line, “Romeo and Juliet me!” If onlyKit Connorwas there…

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Rachel Zegler

Rachel Zegler.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

TheWest Side Storyscreen actress makes her Broadway debut in William Shakespeare’sRomeo + Julietthis month. But before that, Zegler made her Elsie Fest debut, taking the stage to belt out “Gimmie Gimmie” fromThoroughly Modern Milliewhile wearing a sparkling gold glitter two-piece.

It was a highlight of the evening, and a performance that had the crowd cheering — especially as Zegler sang the song’s iconic line, “Romeo and Juliet me!” If onlyKit Connorwas there…

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Wayne Duvall, John Gallagher Jr., Stark Sands and Adrian Blake Enscoe

John Gallagher Jr. (second from left) with ‘Swept Away’ cast mates Wayne Duvall, Stark Sands and Adrian Blake Enscoe.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

At Elsie Fest, the group performed two songs from the new musical, which features a score from chart-topping folk-rock bandThe Avett Brothers.

15of 16Derek Klena and Lizzy McAlpineDerek Klena and Lizzy McAlpine.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestThe festival’s final performer wasMcAlpine. But rather than play her own hits, the singer-songwriter went full Broadway, singing a series of her favorite musical theater songs.Among the tunes in her set? “Everything Else” (fromNext to Normal);Hadestownballad “Flowers” (which she sang with the musical’s composer Anaïs Mitchell); “Another Life” (fromBridges of Madison County); “Pretty Funny” (fromDogfight), anotherNext to Normaltune, “Wish I Were Here” (this one a duet with Zegler), and “People from “Funny Girl.“There was also “First Date / Last Night” fromDogfight, which she sang with thePasek and Paul musical’soriginal star, Derek Klena.

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Derek Klena and Lizzy McAlpine

Derek Klena and Lizzy McAlpine.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

The festival’s final performer wasMcAlpine. But rather than play her own hits, the singer-songwriter went full Broadway, singing a series of her favorite musical theater songs.

Among the tunes in her set? “Everything Else” (fromNext to Normal);Hadestownballad “Flowers” (which she sang with the musical’s composer Anaïs Mitchell); “Another Life” (fromBridges of Madison County); “Pretty Funny” (fromDogfight), anotherNext to Normaltune, “Wish I Were Here” (this one a duet with Zegler), and “People from “Funny Girl.”

There was also “First Date / Last Night” fromDogfight, which she sang with thePasek and Paul musical’soriginal star, Derek Klena.

16of 16Darren Criss and Rachel ZeglerDarren Criss and Rachel Zegler.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie FestOf course, no musical could be complete with a finale. And for Elsie Fest 2024, Criss brought out the full-lineup of performers and guests for a group singalong of “Defying Gravity” fromWicked.

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Darren Criss and Rachel Zegler

Darren Criss and Rachel Zegler.Jenny Anderson/Laurel Hinton/Elsie Fest

Of course, no musical could be complete with a finale. And for Elsie Fest 2024, Criss brought out the full-lineup of performers and guests for a group singalong of “Defying Gravity” fromWicked.

For more onElsie Fest, visit the festival’s official website.

source: people.com