You know that feeling you get in the back of your throat when you are feeling so many
emotions all at once that you’re holding back tears for hours at a time? That’s the way we felt all weekend long at BroadwayCon 2020. Not only did we experience amazing performances from Sing Street, Jagged Little Pill, Mrs. Doubtfire, Emojiland, Hadestown, Between the Lines, Caroline or Change, Company, Girl from the North Country, and Six, but we also sat in on panels about starting your own business, directing, casting and so much more!
This year was different from the rest. This year, the stars we all admire talked about what it’s like behind the scenes of a Broadway show, what they do after the curtain drops, and why they love performing eight shows a week. It made us see who the actors are and made the fans realize that the actors they love are just like them. Every performance was interactive, with the audience shouting out lyrics, clapping, and even jumping up onstage and dancing. Every day we went to sleep more inspired and fulfilled than the next.
The great Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd) reminded us that it’s never too early or too late to push towards our goals and that the show must always go on. Even though he had acute laryngitis he pushed through. “The doctor told me to stop singing, but I told him as long as I can sing, I am the only one who is going to play this role.” This weekend was a reminder about why we fell in love with Broadway for the first time, but also why we keep on going to the theatre day after day and year after year. Today’s Broadway is about stories of survival and overcoming prejudices, obstacles, and fears. Director Jerry Zaks (Mrs. Doubtfire) said “stories save lives.” And that’s what keeps us waiting for the next show to open.
We went away from BroadwayCon with a feeling of hope, inspired to follow our dreams and keep working fearlessly toward them. Just think what we can all accomplish if we all work together!
Broadway Musical Blog 