West Side Stroy and Dreamgirls to perform on CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 6:18pm

The casts of "Dreamgirls" and "West Side Story" will perform on the CBS Thanksgiving Day Parde. "West Sode Story" will perform "America" and "Dreamgirls" will perform the title song. Usually the CBS Parde has performances from shows that have been open for over a year. Last year they had "Mary Poppins" and "Grease." I also remember they had "Wicked" in 2005 just after it celebrated its 2 year anniversey. If "Little Mermaid" was still open I bet they would've had them perform.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Cast_Members_of_DREAMGIRLS_And_WEST_SIDE_STORY_to_Perform_At_The_Thanksgiving_Day_Parade_Broadcast_On_CBS_20091118

ETA: "Ragtime" will also perfrom.

https://www.playbill.com/news/article/134699-West-Side-Story-Ragtime-and-Dreamgirls-to-Sing-for-CBS-on-Thanksgiving
Updated On: 11/18/09 at 06:18 PM

[Trish2]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 9:33pm

"AMERICA" again???!!!! Snoopy Snore. Havent we seen enough of that on national television ? They'd be smarter to show off the "guys" in some sort of medley of Prologue, Jet Song and finish with Cool. That may sell more tickets ! Plus, the Jet boys are just so much stronger than the Shark girls.

Posted: 11/19/09 at 3:40am

In utter agreement--it should be the guys turn anyway after endless Americas, plus they'd probably get more of the teen girls (and gay guys) who would be attracted by seeing the parade to go that way... Besides which Cool is still a spectacular, exciting and even modern seeming dance number that might make some people who don't know WSS and assume they do change their mind and go.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 11/19/09 at 8:42am

There's two Thanksgiving Day parades? Have I never noticed this?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/19/09 at 12:12pm

No, it's just broadcast on both networks. To compete CBS usually has separate Broadway performances that aren't on the parade route.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 11/19/09 at 12:26pm

Another difference is that the NBC Broadway performances are live and the CBS ones are pretaped.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 11/19/09 at 12:28pm

Are the performances typically done at different times? Like will I be able to catch both broadcast Broadway performances (that's all I really care about).

[Eris0303]

Posted: 11/19/09 at 12:36pm

I know on CBS they're spread out throughout the parade.

[winston89]

Posted: 11/19/09 at 2:57pm

If I remember correctly, I think that CBS just randomly cuts to one of the tape of the performances midway through the parade instead of a commercial break etc.

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 11/20/09 at 10:02am

The NBC broadcast usually 'cuts the ribbon' at the top of the show and the Broadway companies perform at Herald Square AS the parade comes down the route -- the four shows are usually completed by the top of the first hour. CBS's performances are usually later in the broadcast.

Hope that helps.

[poeticmelody]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 9:33pm

I'm curious to see this cast of Dreamgirls perform but I will be a bit more excited about West Side Story...although yea I wish the song choice was different.