For Broadway performers who display their many talents each night to a couple thousand theatregoers, the chance to perform for 31 million people at one time is a major event.
Such is the case for the casts of the Tony-nominated musical Buena Vista Social Club, the Jonathan Groff-led Just in Time, and the acclaimed revival of Ragtime, which recently opened at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont. All three Broadway musicals have been chosen to perform during this year's annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, set to air on NBC November 27 beginning at 8:30 AM in all time zones across NBC and Peacock and continuing through noon.
In the video below, watch the three Broadway companies react joyfully as they are told they have been chosen to perform on the 99th annual parade. Co-producer Luis Miranda shares the news with the Buena Vista Social Club company, director Lear deBessonet tells her Ragtime company, and Tony winner Groff exuberantly tells his castmates. Miranda also jokes, "Pray that it is a warm day."
Today's Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will once again host the annual celebration, with an encore broadcast set for NBC at 2 PM.
Also set to entertain are the Radio City Rockettes (celebrating their 100th anniversary this year) plus Tony nominee Christopher Jackson (recently on Broadway in Hell's Kitchen), Hairspray's Darlene Love, pop star Debbie Gibson, Tiler Peck, Drew Baldridge, Matteo Bocelli, Colbie Caillat, Ciara, Gavin DeGraw, Meg Donnelly, Mr. Fantasy, Foreigner, Mickey Guyton, Jewel, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang, Roman Mejia, Taylor Momsen, Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Shaggy, Lauren Spencer Smith, Luísa Sonza, and Teyana Taylor.
Herald Square performances will also include the daytime debut of EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, and the singing voices of HUNTR/X from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. Additionally, Nikki DeLoach, U.S. Olympian Ilia Malinin, Kristoffer Polaha, U.S. Paralympian Jack Wallace, and special correspondent Sean Evans will also make appearances.
The Parade will also feature iconic character balloons, imaginative floats, and, of course, Santa Claus.
“The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings families together like nothing else on television and remains a beloved tradition for millions,” said Jen Neal, executive vice president, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment, in an earlier statement. “We’re proud of our longstanding partnership with Macy’s and look forward to working with them to produce a spectacular parade that we know so many people love and cherish.”
“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the official kickoff to the holiday season and has been part of the nation’s stories and traditions for generations,” added Will Coss, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade executive producer. “The most wonderful stories start at the Parade. On Thanksgiving morning, larger-than-life character balloons, awe-inspiring floats, and showstopping performances will create unforgettable moments and lasting holiday memories for millions of spectators in New York City and across the country.”
The 99th Macy’s Parade lineup will feature more than 5,000 volunteers, 32 balloons, 3 ballonicles, 27 floats, 4 specialty units, 33 clown groups, 11 marching bands, performance groups, music stars, and more.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast is produced by Universal Television in conjunction with Done + Dusted Inc. Katy Mullan and Liz Kelly serve as executive producers.
On November 26 at 8 PM ET, NBC and Peacock will air the primetime special Countdown to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The broadcast will give viewers a first look at the stories behind the floats, balloons, and bands as they prepare to make their way through the streets of New York City.
Visit Macys.com/Parade.
