The news that Broadway could resume full-capacity shows in September is huge news for theater fans — so huge, it kind of needs to be conveyed in the form of a big musical number.Jimmy FallonandLin-Manuel Mirandadelivered exactly that onThe Tonight Showon Tuesday, offering up a musical tribute to the entire theatergoing experience.
The number kicks off with an acknowledgment of some of Broadway’s more annoying features, from overpriced concessions to awkwardly scrunching up in seats to let late-arriving audience members reach their seats. But it quickly flies into a celebration of favorite shows, ranging from old classics likePhantom of the OperaandLion Kingto more recent hits likeBook of Mormon,Hadestown, and of course Miranda’s ownHamilton. Finally, they celebrate the audiences themselves, joking about the quarantine hobbies we’ve all occupied ourselves with, all to the tune ofHamilton’s“You’ll Be Back.”
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They’re joined by an impressive supporting cast, including broadway legendsKristin Chenoweth, Phylicia Rashad, andLaura Benanti, as well as several cast-members of Miranda’s upcomingIn The Heights,includingJimmy Smits, Olga Merediz, andHamiltonstarChristopher Jackson. “Won’t you please come with us,” they ask. “There is life beyond your friends at Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Disney+.”
It’s a big, exuberant tribute, but feels well-earned after more than a year without Broadway. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered the shutdown in March of 2020, with initial plans to reopen a month later. Those plans were scuttled as the COVID pandemic dragged on, with the reopening pushed back indefinitely. Finally, Cuomo announced in May that Broadway could start selling tickets for full-capacity shows for performances as early as September 14. The reopening is welcome news not only to theater fans, but to the casts and crews of shows that will have been on hold for a year and a half by the time they reopen.
In the meantime, anyone looking for their musical fix can turn to Miranda’sIn The Heights, which arrives in theaters and on HBO Max on June 10. Or they can just keep watching thatTonight Showclip. No judgement here — it’s been a long year for everyone.
Check out the clip below.
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