SEPTEMBER
25, 2005 --
The
2005-2006 Broadway season got underway with the now-traditional
free Times Square mid-Sunday in September taste of the season's
Broadway musicals.
On September 18, thousands of people filled Seventh Avenue and Broadway north
of the Broadway on Broadway stage set up in Times Square.
And with Harvey Fierstein's image as Tevye, in Fiddler on The Roof,
dancing above the crowd on a building on the west side of Broadway, from 43rd
to 44th streets, the gathering was treated to songs from 16 shows, including
two that will open this season,
"The Color Purple" and "In My Life the other numbers coming from
musicals that were playing last season and, indeed, for several seasons, as in
the case of "Hairspray," "Beauty and the Beast," "The
Lion King," and "Mamma Mia," "Rent," "The Producers," among
others.
The Broadway on Broadway program included "Imagine," from Lennon
which opened recently.
John Lithgow and Christina Applegate hosted -- Ms. Applegate also was one of
the performers, joined by members of the "Sweet Charity" company
in the show's
"Big Spender."
Christopher J. Hanke, who, with Jessica Boevers, sang the show's title song, "In
My Life," told LPR that this was a special day for him because four years
ago, he was standing in the crowd watching the
Broadway on Broadway concert.
The program ended with all the performers singing "Give My Regards to
Broadway," as multi-colored confetti filled the air -- to be swept up,
quickly, by Times Square alliance workers in their red coveralls.
Paul Gemignani directing the American Theatre Orchestra, opened the program
with the overture from "Funny Girl," whose composer, Jules Styne,
was born 100 years ago.
And before the music began, Mayor Bloomberg welcomed the crowd and seemed to
refer to the fact that he is seeking re-election.
Photos posted here show Christina and other members of the Sweet Charity company,
the ensemble from Lennon, on stage and at the photo op, Jessica Boevers and
Christopher J. Hanke on stage and providing an exclusive photo op for LPR,
the ensemble from Rent, Carolee Carmello (center) from Mamma Mia with Robin
Baxter and Judy McLane; Ashley Brown from "Beauty and the Beast," and
from "Wicked," a decidedly not wicked-looking Megan Hilty (left)
and Shoshana Bean.
The other shows represented on this year's Broadway on Broadway program were "All
Shook Up," "The Light in
the Piazza" and "Avenue Q" and "The 25th Annual Putnam
County Spelling Bee." The only representation from
"Fiddler on the Roof" was that huge sign above the crowd. (It should
be noted that Mr. Fierstein appeared on the Broadway on Broadway program a few
seasons ago when he was in "Hairspray.")
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An
LPR Exclusive Photo -- Jessica Boevers and Christopher
J. Hanke
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Jessica
Boevers and Christopher J. Hanke singing "In My
Life."
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The
crowd in Times Sqaure enjoying Broadway on Broadway.
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Broadway
on Broadway - the Finale.
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The
grounds crew cleaning up the confetti at the Broadway
on Broadway event.
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