A significant power outage swept through much of Manhattan on Saturday night, plunging subway stations, Madison Square Garden, Times Square, and numerous buildings into darkness for nearly five hours. This blackout also impacted several packed Broadway theaters, leading to disappointed ticket holders flooding the streets. However, some cast members turned a frustrating night into a memorable one for their fans.
As theater-goers learned that their shows were canceled due to the outage—often just an hour before the performances were set to begin—they found themselves at a loss for what to do. But it wasn’t long before some of Broadway’s biggest stars took to the streets for impromptu performances. Throughout the Theater District, attendees were treated to unexpected shows, including a choir outside Carnegie Hall, Tony Award winner André De Shields from Hadestown, and the cast of Rock of Ages performing on the sidewalk.
The blackout affected over 73,000 residents and resulted in numerous emergency calls for stuck elevators, attributed preliminarily to a manhole fire on the Upper West Side that impacted an underground transformer, according to the New York Post. Meanwhile, the cast of Come From Away brought smiles to those gathered outside the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater, creating a lively atmosphere instead of one filled with disappointment.
While the subway system was at a standstill for nearly an hour, forcing some commuters to evacuate through train cars, those above ground were enjoying the unexpected festivities. The cast of Frozen, undeterred by the blackout, expressed their determination to entertain. Patti Murin, who portrays Anna, shared, “Our show may be canceled tonight because of the #blackout, but you can’t stop us from singing!”
Fans of Waitress were also treated to a special performance, with the cast belting out beloved songs and showcasing the uplifting power of music. Anna Mae Murphy tweeted her appreciation, saying, “Thank you @WaitressMusical for your super sweet performance tonight. I’m so bummed we weren’t able to see the show but this made me so happy.”
Additionally, the cast of Hamilton made the best of the situation, sharing their talents from above the Rodgers Theater. Ticket holder Antony tweeted, “@cnn @HamiltonMusical was canceled due to the blackout. The cast sang to us from above the Rodgers Theater in NY. It was awesome!”
With performances from Millennial Choirs and Orchestras set to play at Carnegie Hall, Saturday night in New York City turned into a vibrant celebration, reminding everyone that creativity can transform any situation. If you’re interested in learning about other ways to create memorable moments, check out some of our other blog posts at Intracervical Insemination.
In summary, despite the disruptions caused by the blackout, Broadway stars took it upon themselves to lift spirits and create unforgettable experiences for fans, showcasing the resilience and creativity of New York City.