According to a Macy's spokesperson, cast members from A Chorus Line, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical, The Color Purple and Spamalot will perform on the program. The Chorus Line revival will offer "One," Grinch cast members will present a medley of "Who Likes Christmas?" and "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," the Spamalot company will sing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," and the Color Purple cast will offer the show's opening number, "Mysterious Ways."
As previously announced, the parade will kick off with "Give Me a Drum," a new tuned penned by Michael Feinstein with lyrics by Bill Schermerhorn, Macy's creative director. Camp Broadway, the theatre arts education company, has selected 600 kids, ages 11-14, to be part of this festive opening, which will feature choreography by Tony Parise.
The cast of White Christmas — including Bryan d'Arcy James, Jeffry Denman, Meredith Patterson and Anastasia Barzee — will perform "I Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" on the Holiday Lovin' Oven Float. Other highlights: Julie Andrews and the School of American Ballet will offer "The Show Must Go On" atop the Mother Goose Float; former Avenue Q star John Tartaglia will ride the Doodlebug float; the Statue of Liberty float will boast Renee Fleming and the United States Air Force Band and Choir, who will sing "America the Beautiful"; and there will also be a performance by the Radio City Rockettes.
The 80th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is set for Thursday, November 23 from 9 AM-noon. Broadcast nationally on NBC-TV, the Broadway shows are scheduled to perform during the first hour of the telecast.
The parade begins at 77th Street and Central Park West of Manhattan's Upper West Side. It will then make its way down Broadway through Times Square before taking final bows at Herald Square and ending at 7th Ave and 34th Street. For more information and a few helpful tips for those who are ready to brave the weather and crowds, visit www.macysparade.com or call the Macy's Parade Hotline at (212) 494-4495.
