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Actors and queens reunited in Times Square with song, dance, laughter and tears for “We Will Be Back” to commemorate Broadway’s lost year. The show brought together Broadway stars like André De Shields and BD Wong, alongside Drag Queens Jackie Cox and Peppermint.
The first number at the emotional get together at the crossroads of the world was “On Broadway”. The music was interspersed with speeches from Matthew Broderick and Chita Rivera.
“Live theater is crucial to the lifeblood of New York City, and Times Square sits at its main artery. Together, Broadway and Times Square represent a crucial economic and cultural destination, attracting millions to our great city,” said Times Square Alliance’s acting President, Tom Harris. “We commemorate a difficult year by celebrating Broadway in the heart of New York City, knowing how important this community is to our survival.”
The show closed with a cast led by André De Shields and Jackie Cox performing “Magic to Do” from Pippin.
The show producers, Holly-Anne Devlin and Blake Ross, said: “The Arts and Culture sector is the heartbeat of New York City. For a year, we’ve been producing dozens of outdoor and virtual events in all five boroughs — compensating artists, and driving revenue to arts institutions and small businesses that so desperately need assistance. We remain committed to championing opportunities for arts workers, and fighting for the revitalization of our beloved city. Seeing the incredible community response to events like We Will Be Back makes us hopeful for the future!”
Jackie Cox told us: “Hell’s Kitchen and Broadway are two halves of a whole — and we’re coming back. This is just the beginning. What an amazing day. My heart is full of joy!”
