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EMBRACE MAGAZINE
90
Stage a Comeback Josh Strickland and Michael James Scott Lit Up Orlando in The Music of Disney on Broadway. STORY & PHOTOS BY RACHEL COVELLO
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ain and cooler temps didn’t put a damper on the Disney magic that took center stage in downtown Orlando March 20-21. After a yearlong hiatus, Broadway returned with a fervor at the Dr. Phillips Center’s Frontyard Festival event titled, “The Music of Disney on Broadway.” While Broadway plans to remain dark until at least May 30, 2021, the three-show performance featured four of Broadway’s brightest stars. Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”), Michael James Scott (Genie from “Aladdin”), Kissy Simmons (Nala from “The Lion King”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”) lit up the city with stellar performances.
I was there, front and center, to witness the resurrection of Broadway. It was one of the most emotionally charged events of the year, for both myself and the performers. A year ago, COVID wreaked havoc on the Broadway world. The industry has been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Strickland and Scott, two out and proud gay men, recall the exact moment when they received the news that Broadway was shutting down and how it affected both their professional and personal lives. “We were in Epcot when we started to hear about this news. Michael and I had just finished doing the festival of the arts in Epcot,” said Strickland. “Michael went back to Broad-
