There is a crowd in front of the Richard Rodgers Theater. And the crowd erupts in cheers as Lin-Manuel Miranda, star of Hamilton the musical, comes out with a megaphone.
Lin-Manuel Miranda started things off by thanking all who have supported live theater. He expressed how tough the past year and a half has been and shared the excitement of everyone that Broadway was opening.
Behind him are other Broadway stars--casts of The Lion King and Wicked: The Musical. They are gearing up for a performance. To the side is the crew with musical instruments, including a cello, a guitar, and a drum set.
After thanking the crowd, he urges them to wear a mask and get the covid-19 vaccine. The instruments start playing, and the Broadway stars give a spirited rendition of the Frank Sinatra hit “New York, New York.”
Later that evening, Lin-Manuel Miranda welcomes the audience back to the theatre. He appreciates the efforts of the front-line workers and the Actors Fund for supporting the community for over a year and a half.
“I do not ever want to take life for granted,” he says, and the crowd agrees with raucous cheer. The audience is reminded of how elemental it is to the company’s theatrical performance.
