By popular demand, the Museum of Broadway has announced that its special inaugural exhibition, The American Theatre as Seen by Hirschfeld, has been extended through Wednesday, June 21, 2023; the date marks the occasion of artist Al Hirschfeld’s 120th birthday. Curated by David Leopold, Creative Director of The Al Hirschfeld Foundation, and originally opened in November 2022, the unique art exhibit, created exclusively for the Museum, takes visitors through nine decades of Hirschfeld’s iconic images of theater in NYC and across the country, through twenty-five drawings and prints he created from 1928-2002. 
Concurrent with the seven-week extension, the Museum of Broadway will offer a series of free public programs created in conjunction with The Al Hirschfeld Foundation. The special events include three talks hosted by Leopold. They are:
Tuesday, May 9, at 1 pm, “A National Insanity: Searching for NINA” – When his daughter was born in 1945, Al Hirschfeld began to hide her name, NINA, in the designs of his drawings. He caused “a national insanity” and an unspoken initiation into the world of show business, when millions of New York Times readers shared the Sunday-morning custom of looking for the hidden NINAs with their children and grandchildren. Join David Leopold as he takes you NINA hunting through history, from the very first drawing to the one with the most NINAs. Click here to register for this free event.
Tuesday, May 23, at 5 pm, “Scenes from The American Theatre as seen by Hirschfeld” – Hirschfeld has been synonymous with Broadway since his first theater drawing appeared in 1926. Join Leopold as he traces nine decades on Broadway, introducing you to some of the most important shows and the industry’s greatest creators as seen through the eyes and pen of “the Line King.” Attendees will also get to hear some of the backstage ‘behind-the-lines’ stories in Hirschfeld’s drawings, in an illustrated talk that will showcase rarely seen images as well as old favorites. Copies of the new book, The American Theatre as Seen by Hirschfeld 1962-2002, will be on sale, and Leopold will be available for signing. Visit the website to register.
Thursday, June 8, at 5 pm, “Hirschfeld on The Tony Awards” – Nobody attended more Tony Awards than Al Hirschfeld. Not only did he draw nearly every Tony Award-winning production from 1947-2002, but he was intimately involved with the Tonys as a nominator, voter, and two-time Honoree. In 1984, not only did he receive a special Tony honor, but his artwork was the central theme for the scenic design of the televised awards presentation. Leading up to this year’s Awards ceremony on Sunday, June 11, Leopold will host this special event celebrating Hirschfeld’s reflections and contributions to The Tonys. To reserve your free space, click here.
In addition to the above events, a private cocktail party will be hosted in the exhibit space in celebration of Hirschfeld’s 120th birthday on June 21.
