NYC/MQ Centerstage - Spring 2024

BACK ON BROADWAY

CONTENTS

3 4 6 7 8 10 12 13

A Note from Dan’s Desk

Back on Broadway: An Interview with Deborah Cox From ‘The WIZ’

‘The WIZ’ at the Marquis Theatre

Sweet Summer Delights in NYC

Beautiful Social Spaces For Your Next Summer Soiree

Midnight Moments in Times Square Spring Into Family Fun: Explore Hannah Bronfman’s List of Things to See and Do as Warmer Weather Arrives in NYC

Seasonal Events & Hotel Happenings

DESK DAN’S

AREA GENERAL MANAGER

Spring has sprung in New York City. It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating the holidays, yet here we are, surrounded by the early blooms in Central Park. I invite you to wander the streets and savor the spectacle of springtime.

Spring also brings a certain kind of urban magic to Broadway, with the openings of several new shows. We’re thrilled to share the highly anticipated opening of ‘The WIZ’ in the Marquis Theatre, the 1,600seat theatre on the hotel’s 3rd floor. It first appeared on Broadway in 1974 and was made into a movie version of the story in 1978, starring Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson as Scarecrow. This time around you’ll see a familiar name return to Broadway – Deborah Cox, who stars in the show as Glinda. You can read about her return to the Broadway stage, as she shares her time with us for a conversation in this edition.

As summer looms on the horizon, New York City buzzes with

DANIEL NADEAU AREA GENERAL MANAGER

anticipation for a slew of exciting events. From movie nights at Bryant Park to the bustling outdoor food

BACK ON BROADWAY

AN INTERVIEW WITH DEBORAH COX FROM ‘THE WIZ’

Grammy® Award-nominated and multi-platinum R&B/pop recording artist and film/TV actress Deborah Cox is a force to be reckoned with. Amidst her dynamic career in entertainment, she’s ventured into the world of wine with the launch of her own rose, Kazaisu. Deborah credits her family for fueling her through these many projects with her “strong support system at home.”

Now, Deborah graces Broadway once again, captivating audiences at the Marquis Theatre in her role as Glinda. Deborah says, “The character really spoke to me. Her wise, nurturing personality - it was a no-brainer.” ‘The Wiz’ debuted earlier this month, marking another triumph in Deborah’s illustrious career.

Q: CAN YOU SHARE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF YOUR BACKGROUND?

A: Growing up, my home was always filled with music, and I quickly fell in love with the sounds of the greats. My family, especially my mom, couldn’t help but notice how passionate I was becoming about music and the arts. They were all in, supporting me every step of the way. I got to hit the stage at many talent shows around Toronto, and let me tell you, it was both a nerve-wracking and exhilarating ride.

Q: HAVE YOU HAD ANY CHALLENGES IN YOUR CAREER?

A: Once I made up my mind to go after my passion, I was told “No” often and was underestimated by plenty of people. Sure, there were times I started secondguessing myself, but those bumps in the road only made my self-belief and determination stronger. I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s all about becoming the best version of myself, and for myself.

Q: HOW DO YOU APPROACH NEW PROJECTS, AND WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVE VERSATILITY?

A: I always look at new projects from a fresh perspective, no matter how many times I’ve tackled similar challenges. What really drives my creative versatility is the pride I take in every project I’m a part of.

6 Award Winning and Critically Acclaimed Albums

Q: WHAT PRINCIPLES OR VALUES HAVE YOU HELD ONTO THAT HAVE GUIDED YOU THROUGH SUCCESS AND FAILURE?

A: At the heart of this is the support from my family. Their support has been such a blessing, offering both stability and encouragement no matter what. This constant encouragement has helped me stay focused through the industry’s unpredictable nature. I have a real love for the work I do.

Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL BEGINNING THEIR CAREER?

A: If you are starting out on this path, remember to have a strong support network. It provides a solid foundation for learning and navigating through challenges. Another thing, try to avoid shortcuts—they might seem tempting, but can hold back your progress and overall success. Take things one step at a time, create a solid base for whatever the future holds, and be resilient. Just keep moving forward, keep improving, and never lose sight of the passion that got you on this path in the first place.

Q: HOW DO YOU PREPARE MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY BEFORE EACH PERFORMANCE?

A: My preparation routine is all about taking care of both my body and mind. It’s key for me to be in the right mental and emotional space to bring out the passion and emotion in my performances. Getting enough rest, warming up my voice. It’s this holistic approach to preparation.

18

Years of age when Deborah’s first hit single dropped, ‘Who Do U Love’

Q: YOU’RE INVOLVED IN ADVOCACY WORK WITH THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, HOW DO YOU USE YOUR PLATFORM TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT?

A: It’s been incredible to see how my music has resonated with so many people. They’d come backstage, sometimes in tears, sharing how my music helped them feel seen or free. It’s all about love and acceptance, no room for judgment here. I’m proud to be a supportive ally for the LGBTQ+ community, among others and hearing their stories, I realized this is more than music for me.

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU MOST ABOUT JOINING THE CAST OF ‘THE WIZ’ AND IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME VISITING THE NEW YORK MARRIOTT MARQUIS?

A: I’ve always had a soft spot for ‘The Wiz’. The character of Glinda, with her wise, nurturing personality, really spoke to me. It was a no-brainer to jump on board. I’m really proud of what we’ve put together through this journey. When I starred in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ on Broadway - it was at The Marquis Theatre and I spent a lot of time here. I love the warm atmosphere and staff.

Experience ‘The Wiz’ and see Deborah take the stage this spring.

14

Consecutive Weeks that Deborah’s ‘Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here’ holds the record for being the #1 R&B single

I was often underestimated...but those bumps in the road only made my self-belief and determination stronger. “

INTRODUCING ‘THE WIZ’

Experience the magic of ‘The WIZ’, now playing at the Marquis Theatre, accompanied by a themed cocktail available in the Broadway Lounge.

‘THE WIZ’ ON BROADWAY: This fresh Broadway-bound adaptation has arrived at the Marquis Theatre, marking 50 years since the beloved musical premiered. “The WIZ” reinvents “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” as a dynamic, a musical with an all-Black cast, breathing fresh energy into the classic story. Learn more and book your tickets here.

“THE UPTOWN DREAM”: Step into Broadway’s magic with “The Uptown Dream” cocktail inspired by ‘The Wiz’ now playing at the Marquis Theatre. Rittenhouse Rye meets Ramazzotti Amaro, dancing with Orange and Angostura Bitters in a Martini glass. Experience the spirit of Oz in every sip. Reserve yours at the Broadway Lounge on the 8th Floor.

SWEET SUMMER DELIGHTS

Instagram-Worthy Desserts in NYC

New York City is known for its vast culinary landscape, but when summer arrives, it's time to indulge in the city's sweeter side. Discover the ultimate summer delights as we unveil five hot spots serving treats to satisfy every craving.

1.

#MyMarquisMoment Ice Cream Sundae

Offered at Broadway Lounge, New York Marriott Marquis. This tasty item is filled with vanilla cake bites, ice cream, strawberry compote and topped with homemade whipped cream, sprinkles, brulée cheesecake bites, Pirouette cookies, Twizzlers, and a colorful lollipop to top it off.

Reserve yours

2.

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4.

5.

Mixed Berry French Toast Bread Pudding

Offered at Alice’s Tea Cup

Taiyaki Ice Cream Cone

Offered at Taiyaki NYC

Classic Banana Pudding and Cupcakes

Offered at Magnolia Bakery

Lavender Matcha Mille Crepes

Offered at Lady M Confections

BRING YOUR SUMMER SOIREE TO LIFE

Broadway Lounge

PREMIER SOCIAL SPACES FOR YOUR NEXT SPRING OR SUMMER SOIREE

Step into the heart of the city and celebrate. Explore vibrant event spaces, unique culinary offerings, and an expert planning team to support the success of your event.

9TH FLOOR TERRACE (TAP TO EXPLORE)

Above Revel & Rye, discover our venue with an open event space nestled within the Atrium. Experience an inviting atmosphere and breathtaking views, perfect for any occasion.

BROADWAY AND WESTSIDE BALLROOM (TAP TO EXPLORE)

Elevate your gala experience in our expansive ballroom, designed to accommodate large gatherings while ensuring every moment is unforgettable. With a capacity to host over 2,000 guests, we provide the perfect setting for your grandest celebrations.

PERCH OUTDOOR TERRACE (TAP TO EXPLORE)

Perched eight floors above Times Square, our modern outdoor terrace offers sweeping views of the iconic New York City skyline. Elevate your experience and soak in the vibrant energy from above.

BROADWAY LOUNGE (TAP TO EXPLORE)

Discover quintessential New York City at Broadway Lounge. Enjoy floor-to-ceiling views, classic cocktails, and Times Square energy. Your go-to spot for celebrating in the heart of it all.

REVEL & RYE BAR AND RESTAURANT (ATRIUM) (TAP TO EXPLORE)

Experience comfort and sophistication at its finest beneath our expansive 37-story atrium. Bathed in sunlight pouring through towering ceiling windows, it’s a familiar yet subtly refined retreat.

Discover your next social event. Tap here to get started!

Marquis in Bloom/9th Floor Terrace

MIDNIGHT MOMENTS ARE TAKING OVER TIMES SQUARE

AN ART DISPLAY PRESENTED BY TIMES SQUARE ARTS

“Sometimes we talk about Midnight Moment as the most spectacular secret hiding in plain sight. You can sense that the thousands in Times Square at midnight are not expecting the nearly 100 screens to synchronize with tantalizing imagery of virtual worlds, dancers in snowdrifts, milky bubbles, meditative gradients, or stop motion animations,” says Times Square Alliance Director of Times Square Arts, Jean Cooney.

Since its inception in 2012, Midnight Moment has evolved from a modest collection of billboards into a dynamic

program. Its mission remains, showcase Times Square as a vibrant hub of creative exploration and accessible public art on a global scale.

Midnight Moment is a nightly signal for Times Square to turn over its keys from the most iconic public space to artists and creatives that are critical to the city’s past, present and future.

“The digital displays are truly gorgeous. It’s special to see how artists can take this constantly evolving technology and innovation to elevate their creative abilities to unprecedented heights.”

Developing a theme and execution strategy for this project is a uniquely personal journey for each artist. Quayola captures the essence, referring to it as the boundary between something that is real and that is not real. Quayola states, “It’s a strange, harmonious balance between different elements. My work is about the equilibriums and tensions between these opposing forces, the relationship between heritage and contemporary visual languages, man and machine, the old and the new.”

Quayola, a London-based Italian artist, utilizes technology to explore the interplay of contrasts, reimagining canonical imagery through immersive installations.

“Leveraging Times Square’s monumental landscape and symbolism has been the key to success,” stated Jean. Midnight Moment has showcased a diverse array of artistic visions, from Nora Maite’s stop-motion animation to Quayola’s depiction of stormy seas. “I’ve always had a strong fascination for natural phenomena,” stated Quayola. “I’ve been chasing storms on the coast of Cornwall

“

Leveraging Times Square’s

monumental landscape and symbolism has been the key to success.

to capture ultra-high-definition videos of tumultuous seas in various lighting and meteorological conditions. Various computer-vision and machine-learning strategies have been used to extract data from the original videos, from describing the movement of the waves to extrapolating color palettes and features from the landscapes.” Quayola continued, “I explore the traditional theme of man trying to understand nature. Nature serves as the pretext to discover new ways of seeing. This idea was at the core of Storms.”

Jean perfectly expresses the feeling as

11:57pm strikes, “I am always moved by how a successful Midnight Moment can quiet a crowd of thousands...the palpable stillness across five blocks as arms slowly rise with cell phones in hand.”

The future for Midnight Moment is limitless. “Our dream is to collaborate with museums and galleries, transforming Times Square into a global stage,” Jean shared. “With nearly 100 billboards, we envision a future where every display is synchronized, creating a public art spectacle. Imagine the reach of a Midday Moment, captivating audiences worldwide.”

Image by Michael Hull for Times Square Arts

Image by Maria Baranova for Times Square Arts.

SPRING INTO FAMILY FUN

EXPLORE HANNAH BRONFMAN’S LIST OF THINGS TO DO AND SEE AS WARMER WEATHER ARRIVES IN NYC

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

y Sadelle’s (SoHo)

y Lola Taverna (West Village)

y Vic’s (SoHo)

y Alta (Greenwich Village)

y Jack’s Wife Freda (Chelsea)

FAVORITE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAMILY

Chelsea Piers, taking Citi bikes around is a great way to explore. I love walking over the Williamsburg Bridge

FAVORITE OUTDOOR DESTINATIONS THAT SHOWCASE THE BEAUTY OF SPRINGTIME

y Walk the Highline and stop by the water

y Going to the playground at Pier 15

y Dumbo is also a great place to explore, there is a new exhibition called Flavor at MoFAD in the Timeout Building by the carousel

y Central Park. I love walking though Strawberry Fields and by the Loeb Boathouse

y The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens are spectacular

HANNAH

BRONFMAN (@HANNAHBRONFMAN) 1.2M Followers

Hannah Bronfman is an activist, author, angel investor, on-camera personality, entrepreneur, and a beauty and health expert. She is credited with bringing wellness to the forefront of the digital age. As a founder of Pres10 Ventures, she has invested in around 70 minority founders who make ‘better for you’ and ‘better for the planet’ products and platforms and she continues to be a vocal advocate and fight for women’s reproductive rights and ending preventable maternal mortality.

New York has a lot of magic and, during the Spring, it feels the most lively and exciting. “

SEASONAL EVENTS

CELEBRATE

SPRING 2024

Celebrate in the center of it all

Uptown Night Market (Open 4/11, 5/9, 6/13, 7/11)

A free-entry open-air food and beverage festival on the Hudson. Over 60 vendors producing international dishes and libations.

Learn more

Trivia Nights at Revel & Rye (Every Thursday Night)

Join us in our Revel & Rye Atrium every Thursday night from May 2nd through June 20th at 7pm for trivia night. Hosted by New York Trivia League, our lineup of trivia topics and prizes promises to ignite your curiosity. Reserve your spot

The Perch Reopening (April 26th)

We’re thrilled to announce the reopening of The Perch, our outdoor terrace, starting Friday, April 26th! We can’t wait to welcome you back and savor the summer together. First come, first served at The Perch. Reserve at Broadway Lounge!

Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet and DIY Flower Bar (May 12th)

Treat mom to a special brunch buffet in Broadway Lounge! Savor an enticing selection of breakfast and brunch items including a salad station, carving station, crispy bacon, french toast, pancakes, egg white frittata, glazed spiral ham, roasted prime rib and more. Top your meal with an assortment of seasonal sweat treats. Surprise mom with a DIY bouquet at our Bloom Bar, and capture a photo in front of our flower wall. Book your t able

Color Factory NYC (Runs through May 14th)

Interactive journey through 14 immersive art exhibits. Learn more about this adventure

Latin Night Market (May 17th)

Enjoy Latin & Caribbean cuisine, live performances featuring various music genres, family-friendly activities, and more. Learn more

SUMMER 2024

Revel in the heart of the city

NYC Pride Package (Available during the month of June)

Celebrate Pride Month in the heart of the city. Enjoy spacious accommodations, and two complimentary Pride cocktails, the “Elder Cosmo”.

Learn more and reserve yours

The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism Exhibition (Runs through July 28th)

A Harlem renaissance exhibit at The Met Secure your tickets

Governors Ball Music Festival (June 7th – June 9th)

60+ of the world’s best artists perform at Governors Island. Book your tickets

De Niro Con: Celebrating 80 Years of Robert De Niro (June 14th – June 16th)

Coinciding with the Tribeca Festival, a tribute to Robert De Niro’s career. Learn more and save the date

Japan Fes (April 6th – November 9th)

Offering diverse menus and flavors of NYC and Japan. Secure your tickets

The March (June 30th)

“The” March to celebrate Pride Month and support the LGBTQ+ community. Save the date (NYC Pride)

Macy’s 4th Of July Fireworks

After 9pm, the skies over New York City’s East River light up. Read the best viewing spots

WONDERFUL AWAITS

AT THE NEW YORK MARRIOTT MARQUIS