(Michael Gioia’s article appeared in Playbill.com, 11/26; via Pam Green.)
As Broadway casts and characters make their back through Herald Square from this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, we look back at years past — with exclusive memories from Kelli O'Hara, Laura Osnes, Annaleigh Ashford, Ryan Steele and more.
Actress Brynn O'Malley (Honeymoon in Vegas, Annie)
I performed with the cast of the 2012 revival of Annie on the parade telecast. As an adult, it's very easy to be overwhelmed by the lack of sleep (you have to get up in the middle of the night!) and heat (it's FREEZING!), but I remember getting on the bus to Macy's and sitting next to little (at the time) Taylor Richardson and seeing how excited she was…and then looking around and seeing all the other orphans COMPLETELY FREAKING OUT, and suddenly their energy and enthusiasm was better than any space heater or cup of coffee a girl could ask for. I squealed with them all the way to 34th Street.