Thursday, March 28, 2024
Miles from the Mainstream
D. R. ZUKERMAN, proprietor
A Broadway Sampler

SEPTEMBER 19, 2004 --

One of the good things about New York City is the annual Broadway on Broadway presentation in Times Square, held this year on September 12.

Broadway on Broadway is put together by Jed Bernstein, president of the League of American Theaters and Producers. (He
also gives us the annual Broadway Under the Stars concert in Bryant Park, in June, at the end of the Broadway season.)

This Broadway on Broadway included numbers from two musicals that will open this season, Brooklyn and Little Women, as well as such standbys as The Producers, Lion King, Chicago, Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast Rent, Mamma Mia and Phantom of the Opera.

Others shows represented included Bombay Dreams, Avenue Q, Wicked, Dracula, and Wonderful Town --soon to star Brooke Shields.

LPR noticed that as the number from Rent was being performed on the Broadway on Broadway stage, members of the audience were singing along. It would be neat if a sing- along feature were formally included in the Broadway Under the Stars concert in June.

2005 marks the 50th anniversaries of Damn Yankees, Silk Stockings, and Plain and Fancy-- and perhaps the Bryant Park concert might also take note of Broadway's golden anniversaries.

Looking ahead--2006 will mark the 50th anniversaries of My Fair Lady, The Most Happy Fella, Li'l Abner, Bells are Ringing and Candide--with 2007 marking the golden anniversaries of West Side Story, New Girl in Town, Jamaica and The Music Man.

One additional thought -- this for the Tony awards -- let's get outdoor screens set up for the public to follow the proceedings -- Rockefeller Center, Central Park or Bryant Park would, any of them, be suitable
venues. Indeed, similar screens might be set up at sites across the country, as Broadway is, of course, not the sole "property" of New York, but, rather, a
national asset.


Three appreciative Broadway on Broadway aficionados.


Sutton Foster, (Hunter's sister), of the forthcoming Little Women


The Broadway on Broadway finale, seen through falling
confetti.

Part of the large Broadway on Broadway audience.


Jed Bernstein, president of the
League of American Theatrers and Producers.


Nancy Anderson, of Wonderful Town.


A member of the Times Square Alliance who perhaps belongs on a Broadway stage.


Hunter Foster, and members of The Producers ensemble.


Members of the cast of Rent.


Singing along with Rent 1.


Singing along with Rent 2.


Robin Hall, holding Hairspray fan, marches at the head of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.