Opening last night, Curtains filled the Howe Theatre with the songs, dances, comedy and drama that once thrilled audiences on Broadway. The vehicle brought David Hyde Pierce a Tony Award and, today, a fresh cast of teen contenders. Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance’s Teen Theatre group soars with talent, all smartly coached and brought to life under the direction of Jacqueline Lucid.
by David Stone
Photography: Irina Hage/Irina Island Images
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Only Three More Curtains To Go
Only three more performances remain for Curtains remain. They are today at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Don’t miss this! Tickets are available here. The Howe Theatre is at 248 Main Street, Roosevelt Island.
During its Broadway run, Curtains was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The original production starred David Hyde Pierce, who won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.
The musical is set in 1959 Boston, behind the scenes of a fictional musical called Robbin’ Hood! The show’s book is by Rupert Holmes, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
The original Broadway production opened on March 2, 2007, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and closed on June 29, 2008, after 28 previews and 486 performances. The show was directed by Scott Ellis with choreography by Rob Ashford.
Set against the backdrop of a Boston theater in 1959, Curtains is the backstage murder mystery musical comedy that Critics hailed as “a ton of fun!” (The New York Times), “smart and sassy!” (Associated Press) and “a must-see event!” (AM New York).
The current production in the Howe Theatre in the Roosevelt Island Community Center features a fresh cast of young performers, all smartly coached and brought to fruition by Jacqueline Lucid.
Curtains is playing at the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance from now until Sunday. Get your tickets today!
Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance
While still dynamic, creative and versitile, Roosevelt Island’s Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance is now an institution on the verge of breaking out into wider audiences.
Six years ago, Kristi Towey took the reins at MSTDA and has nurtured growth and new audiences. Around that time, the dynamic team of Jonathon and Kimbirdlee Fadner’s inventive Common Man Musicals began launching original productions, using local performers and students.
One, The Monkey King, went on to national stages and was aiming for Broadway before the pandemic shut things down.
Today, both Fadners have joined an already powerful Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance team led by Towey, helping bring renewed vigor out of the coronavirus shutdown.
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You Can’t Be All Three
April 9, 2026, during the full board meeting of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, Fay Christian said something that should have landed harder than it did. She wished RIOC were not responsible for the tram. Then she asked what it would look like if it were given to the MTA. That was not a passing comment.
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