Springsteen, who had performed 236 shows in December 2018, was forced to end his residency. However, he was persuaded by Broadway’s most popular Broadway shows to come back in September for an encore performance.
The rock ‘n roll legend was clearly moved. His show, which blends personal remembrances and performances of his songs, left him in tears. He stated that the summer reprise allowed him to spend more time figuratively with his father and other deceased relatives.
Each week brings new evidence that entertainment is returning after a 15-month COVID-19 hiatus. Springsteen is planning to tour next year and has already booked festivals and concert tours. With a rousing June 20 concert, The Foo Fighters reopened New York’s Madison Square Garden as music venue.
Springsteen was thrilled to be back and had to tell the crowd to calm down lest the show go on for too long. When Steven Van Zandt, his longtime guitarist, took a seat in front of the audience, he received a standing ovation. New Jersey Governor. Saturday night was also attended by Phil Murphy and U.S. Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Springsteen stated, “It’s great to see everyone tonight unmasked and sitting next to one another.” It’s been a great year. “I’ve been here 71 years and have never seen anything quite like it.”
To enter the St. James Theatre, audience members needed to present proof of vaccination. This attracted a swarm of anti-vaccination protestors to the St. James Theatre entrance, where they complained Springsteen was encouraging segregation.
Gina Zabinski, a Wyomissing, Pennsylvania audience member, stated that it was amazing to hear live music again. She said, “I’m going cry.”
Zabinski brought her son Zak with her to Miami, where she is a student in musical theatre. “I think that I took it as a given because we would always go to shows.”
Benjamin Smith, a Philadelphia fan, stated that he couldn’t think of anyone better to help us feel normal again.
Springsteen stated that he and his family were fortunate during the pandemic because they were able to remain healthy and be active.
He said, “I had a podcast interview with the president of America (Barack Obama).” “I was handcuffed, and thrown into jail.”
This was referring to his Nov. 14, 2020 arrest in New Jersey for drunken driving. He was found to have blood alcohol levels below the legal limit for New Jersey and he was fined for having consumed two tequila shots while in an area that prohibited alcohol.
He said, “New Jersey.” “They love me there.”
Springsteen was able to use the case as a source of joke material, but the show’s structure and stories were similar, even if more streamlined, to his Broadway debut.
He dropped the classic closer “Born to Run” and replaced it with the more thematically focused “I’ll See You in My Dreams” from his 2020 album. Patti Scialfa was the vocalist in this two-song duet. It featured an edgy version of “Fire,” which became a 1978 pointer sister’s hit.
Springsteen sang his song “American Skin (41 Shots)” about a police shooting in clear reference to George Floyd’s death, while standing on stage under a blood-red spotlight.
Springsteen stated that he has never seen American democracy so threatened as it is now, and that it scared him.
He said, “I’m still stubborn.” “I believe that we will succeed.”
