Broadway’s big hits reopen to standing ovations and mass retirements

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A standing ovation on the unofficial Broadway reopening night, sometimes interrupted by a musical.

The Great White Way returned to pre-pandemic form on Tuesday with “Wicked,” “The Lion King, and“ Hamilton ”debuting in 2021, and theater fans could hardly contain their excitement.

Players who attended “Hamilton” at Richard Rodgers bathed the actors in applause during the first staging of the Revolutionary War-era drama in 18 months.

Fanfare erupted before the curtains opened, while writer Lin Manuel Miranda addressed the tired pandemic.

“It simply came to our notice then [to bring it to stage]Miranda said. “I’m glad it hasn’t been six years since I came back.”

“I’ll never take live theater for granted again,” Miranda told the masked and vaccinated crowd.

The actors greet the audience at the Richard Rogers Theater during the call for the first performance of
Actors greet the audience at the Richard Rodgers Theater during the call for the first return performance of “Hamilton.”
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People wait outside the Richard Rogers Theater in Times Square.
People wait outside the Richard Rodgers Theater in Times Square.
William Miller

When the curtain rose, the crowd enthusiastically applauded all the actors and gave the titular character Miguel Cervantes a 3-minute position.

The crowd also erupted at the Gershwin Theater when Kristin Chenoweth told the excited audience that “there is no place like home,” making a gesture with her 2003 star turn as Glinda in a production of “The Wizard of Oz “.

Meanwhile, a few blocks south of Seventh Avenue, Julie Taymor, director and costume designer for the “Lion King,” told those who were packed in the seats of the Minskoff Theater that they were the biggest stars of the night.

Actors Ben Jeffrey and Fred Berman are revered during the call for the reopening of Broadway
Actors Ben Jeffrey and Fred Berman make a bow during the call for the Broadway reopening of “The Lion King” at the Minskoff Theater.
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People wait outside the Barrymore Theater in Times Square to see the musical
People wait outside the Barrymore Theater in Times Square to see the musical “Waitress.”
William Miller

“Theater, as we know, is the blood and soul of the city,” he said. “It’s time for us to live again.”

Broadway has been back to work since early summer, with Bruce Springsteen’s solo show at the helm, but for many, the return of Tuesday’s big productions signaled the end of a long unwanted intervention.

The feeling of retirement even spread to theater ushers.

“Hamilton” returned to a crowded crowd at the Richard Rodgers Theater.
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Actors Ana Villafañe and Bianca Marroquín perform on stage
Actors Ana Villafañe and Bianca Marroquín perform on stage during “Chicago” as the show returns to the ambassador theater.
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Players line up to see the first performance of
Players line up to see “Hamilton” ‘s first performance in 18 months.
William Miller

Usher Linda Diane Polichetti, who works at “Hamilton,” said she was delighted to be back at work.

“I’m happy to be back because the world where I was, I didn’t recognize it,” he said.

“I love my show. I love my cast. “

With AP cables

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