(Johnny Oleksinski’s article appeared in the New York Post, 6/27; via the Drudge Report; Photo: Broadway — and The Boss is back: Bruce Springsteen performs during reopening night of “Springsteen on Broadway” for a full-capacity, vaccinated audience at St. James Theatre on June 26, 2021.Taylor Hill/Getty Images.)
The 471-day shutdown of Broadway, the longest in its history, ended Saturday night in a way none of us ever expected — with Bruce Springsteen.
Leapfrogging the traditional razzle-dazzle musicals like “Hamilton,” “Wicked” and “The Lion King,” which will return on Sept. 14, The Boss kicked off a 30-performance limited engagement of his solo show this weekend at the St. James Theatre.
While the summer stint is sure to help reinvigorate the struggling Times Square neighborhood — which has suffered from crime, homelessness and stagnation during the pandemic — Springsteen never uttered the word “Broadway” once on Saturday, despite his historic role in reopening it.
“It’s great to be here,” Springsteen said to his excited audience, who had to prove they were vaccinated to take their seats and shout “Bruuuuuuuuuce!”
“No masks, sitting next to each other in one room.”
