How a Tv Advertisement Enticed Broadway Crowds Correct Soon after 9/11

NATHAN LANE, performer Everybody was shaken by what happened. And individuals were being concerned it may transpire yet again. “The Producers” experienced opened and played via summer time and then it was the slide. We went back again on a Thursday, all because of [then Mayor] Rudy Giuliani — this is prior to he was a raging [expletive]. It felt improper to be going back so immediately. And but we ended up hoping to do one thing positive.

DREW HODGES, founder, SpotCo promoting company Some thing like five times later on we had been back again in the business and seeking to determine out what to do. We experienced this thought of performing a Television industrial, getting most people into Occasions Square. Barry Weissler, the “Chicago” producer, he was a pal. We went to him and said, “We have this concept, enable us rock and roll it ahead and get it to more powerful people today.” And I believe that he said, “I was imagining the exact issue.”

BARRY WEISSLER, producer We knew we desired to sing “New York, New York.” What else? It was an idea that grew out of my conference with Jed [Bernstein, former Broadway League president], expressing we need to carry the entire Broadway local community together in just one put to celebrate humanity — the tragedy aside, 9/11 aside. Let us celebrate Broadway, humanity and daily life.

BERNADETTE PETERS, performer Of study course, New York was worried. We have been involved: Is it likely to occur once more? But we just had to be brave and let persons know that it was time to take back New York.

JERRY MITCHELL, choreographer Drew Hodges called me and reported, “We’re finding all set to do a business. We’re filming in Situations Sq.. I’m heading to get all the actors ahead of their matinee. Will you choreograph it?” I claimed, “Absolutely, what do you will need?” He despatched me the song, and I had 12 dancers, I imagine, with me. I choreographed a little a little something for them that night time. And the future morning, we met at the Booth Theater [functioning as a green room]. I went onstage, and there was the Broadway neighborhood, in costume, sitting down in the viewers.

CHRIS BONEAU, publicist [Producers] were explained to, “We need to have two men and women to do this, and it has to be Nathan and Matthew [Broderick].” Or: “It can be 3 costumed people, and these are the types who we would like to get.” You obtained to hand it to the folks who wrangled the whole matter. I signify, there have been so lots of individuals guiding the scenes who were undertaking every single detail they could to get this moment correct, due to the fact you only had 1 shot at it.