40 Years of NYC & London Theater Paraphernalia on View for Free at NY Library for Performing Arts

CURTAIN UP is the curated exhibit at the NY Public Library for the Performing Arts.  It's located at Lincoln Center, tucked behind the arcade & the Henry Moore sculpture pond.  The exhibit was made in collaboration with the Society of London Theater.  The Great White Way & London's West End have been home to great theatrical productions.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Olivier Awards in London and 70 years for the Tonys in New York.  Some stage productions have gained success on both sides of the pond.  This exhibit, which is free to the public is on both floors of the Library and represents the last 40 years from both thespian towns.  As you walk in there are playbills strewn on the floor and hanging suspend midair.  It's not possible to discern all the playbills but it's fun trying to determine how many of the shows you may have seen.  The highlights of the collection for me were the costumes & the costume design sketches.  The Phantom's masque worn by Michael Crawford is in front of a magnificent (frightening) costume worn by the Phantom.  I also liked the vest worn by Rudolf Nureyev and the magnificent Lion King display.  There's a fun facts board listing top Tony & Olivier winners & productions.  I was surprised by which shows & actors received the most awards.  The reigning king of the Tony's is Harold Prince, an American theatrical producer.  He's received an astounding 21 Tonys.  Hamilton earned the most Tony nominations (16) but The Producers won the most awards; 12.  A Chorus Line is put in the spotlight as it was a groundbreaking show.  The longest running show on Broadway remains Phantom.  There are posters, set designs and notes but I found most these items jejune.  The costume from Wicked was positioned overhead peering down.  I would have preferred more costumes and seen more snippets from productions.  But the exhibition is free and a fun derivation found at Lincoln Center.