The curtain rose again on top musicals “Hamilton”, “The Lion King” and “Wicked” before packed audiences in the biggest sign that Broadway is open again for business.
“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda kicked off the night by hosting a rousing impromptu rendition of “New York, New York” at the stage door with the casts of all three musicals.
“Broadway is back. Get a mask, get vaccinated and come see live theatre!” Miranda urged fans.
“Chicago” also reopened yesterday.
Broadway was one of the first institutions to close when the pandemic hit in mid-March last year and is the last to reopen in the United States. It has taken months to upgrade air filter systems and figure out how to maintain social distancing on stages full of blood, sweat and tears.
Audiences, actors, musicians and backstage crew must provide proof of full vaccinations and wear masks during all Broadway and off-Broadway shows in New York.
“Hamilton”, “The Lion King” and “Wicked” were the biggest box office earners, each taking in more than US$1 million (RM4.2 million) a week, before the pandemic shuttered some 40 theatres last year, throwing thousands of actors, stagehands, musicians and dancers out of work.
“Every single nerve is tingling with joy and world peace. How lucky we are to be back at work,” said “Hamilton” producer Jeffrey Seller, speaking at the theatre.
“It has been 700,125 minutes since we’ve last been able to perform for a live audience, and what I perceive here is 1,300 people who are teeming with the energy and the desire to get back to the theatre,” Seller added.
Musicals “Hadestown” and “Waitress” returned 10 days ago, and the first new play, “Pass Over”, opened its doors last month.
Talking Heads musician David Byrne, whose “American Utopia” musical reopens on Friday, said theatregoers are overjoyed to be back.
“The audiences are just erupting in applause and cheers and excitement just to be back together in a theatre, to be back together with other people,” Byrne said.
Another dozen musicals and plays will re-open this month, bringing back one of the city’s biggest cultural attractions. City authorities hope their return will also spur tourism and revitalise once-crowded restaurants, bars and hotels.