Broadway Is Back! Scenes from the Re-opening of 'Wicked, Hamilton, Chicago' and More

'Opening Up'

Audiences were so excited to be seeing the first musical to open on Broadway since the shutdown that they applauded the "Turn Off Your Cellphone" announcement before the curtain even rose.

Time to Celebrate

On Sept. 14, some of Broadway's favorites re-opened, including Hamilton, The Lion King and Wicked. In honor of Broadway's big night, the casts of all three shows gathered together ahead of opening.

Coming Together

The casts of Hamilton, The Lion King and Wicked gathered in front of the Richard Rogers Theatre (where Hamilton would open later that evening) to treat crowds to a #Ham4Ham performance of "New York, New York," led by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

'You'll Be Back'

Audiences were thrilled that they were able to see live theater once more.

Not Throwing Away Their Shot

Some even dressed the part!

Audiences who wish to see a show must provide proof of vaccination and remain masked. Theater-goers under 12 years of age who can't be vaccinated can provide a negative COVID test.

Willing to 'Wait for It'

Miranda addressed the audience before the show, saying, "I don't ever want to take live theater for granted ever again."

'The Story of Tonight'

The cast of Hamilton was visibly emotional at the show's first curtain call since the March 2020 Broadway shutdown.

We Want to Be in the 'Room Where It Happens'

Even after the curtain call, the audience continued to applaud as the cast celebrated on stage, embracing and dancing together.

'Just Can't Wait' to Be Back

Audiences were elated to see another long-running Broadway favorite, The Lion King, return to the stage.

'Can You Feel the Love Tonight?'

Cast members could certainly feel the love from the audience on opening night. They were joined by director Julie Taymor, who told the audience before curtain, "I want to applaud this audience, tonight, our reopening, because you all have the desire, the enthusiasm, the courage to lead the way. Because as we know theater in New York is the lifeblood and soul of the city."

'All That Jazz'

The long-running Chicago also re-opened on Sept. 14 to audiences who gave the show a standing ovation.

The Ol' 'Razzle Dazzle'

Everyone got a shoutout in the curtain call as members of the company threw flower petals in the air and the crowd roared.

'A Little Bit of Good'

Picture right, Bianca Marroquín, who plays Velma Kelly in the show, accepting a bouquet of flowers on opening night.

Back ... 'For Good'

There to help with the re-opening night of Wicked was original cast member, Kristin Chenoweth! Chenoweth played Glinda when the show first opened in 2003, scoring a Tony nomination for her work.

'It's Good to See Us, Isn't It?'

The audience went absolutely wild even before the curtain rose on the show's opening number. They got particularly rowdy when Glinda (played by Ginna Claire Mason) said her first line of the show: "It's good to see me, isn't it?"

'Thank Goodness'

Audience members hugged after the show concluded.

'What Is This Feeling?'

Some audience members were emotional over the long-awaited return.

Take Your Bow

Pictured: Ginna Claire Mason and Lindsay Pearce taking their bows at curtain call to much applause.

Simply 'Wonderful'

The curtain call was captured from the audience, with the cast receiving a standing ovation.

'What's Inside'

Waitress re-opened on Sept. 2, and the cast ended the show with a tribute to the late Nick Cordero, who was part of the original cast. Cordero's wife, Amanda Kloots, joined the cast onstage to sing Cordero's song, "Live Your Life."

Have a Slice of Back on Broadway Pie

Sara Bareilles, who both wrote and currently stars in Waitress, said in a video taken during intermission on re-opening night, "We keep saying it's like a sitcom out there. There is entrance applause, exit applause, applause for a look, applause for a spoon! It is utterly magical."

She added, "The audience is absolutely incredible. We're having a blast. It feels so good to be here. It feels so rich and so healing."

'The World Came Back to Life'

Hadestown also re-opened on Sept. 2 to enthusiastic audiences, and the cast was absolutely "livin' it up" as a result.

'We Raise Our Cups'

Alongside the show's director, Rachel Chavkin, the company raised a cup — as they usually do at the end of each show — but this time with a whole new reason to celebrate.

'Livin' It Up on Top'

Then, they stood on balconies, singing Bill Withers' "Lean On Me" to audiences below.

"After the show, we celebrated the best way we know how… we took the party to 48th Street! #SpringHasComeAgain," read a post from the musical's Instagram account.

'Wait for Me'

After audiences involuntarily took the directive "Wait for Me" from one of the show's musical numbers very literally for the past 18 months, there was cause to smile and make merry.

Pictured: Reeve Carney, Andre De Shields, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada and Tom Hewitt showering the crowd below with flowers.