The 81st Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade was held Thursday November 22, 2007 and broadcast nationally 9AM – 12noon on NBC. The parade began at 77th Street and Central Park West, and continued down Broadway through Times Square, ending at Herald Square (at 7th and 34th Street).
While much of Broadway is on-strike, some of the casts of affected shows performed without costumes or props, instead wearing production clothes and merchandise. Performances included: Over 150 kids from Camp Broadway opening the parade with a new song "Making Magic" by Michael Feinstein with lyrics by Macy's Creative Director Bill Schermerhorn; The cast of Legally Blonde performing "What You Want;" the cast of Mary Poppins performing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious;" the cast of Xanadu performing a medley of songs including "All Over The World," "Magic" and "Xanadu;" and the cast of Young Frankenstein performing "Transylvania Mania." Plus, the Radio City Rockettes.
Atop the M+M Chocolate Candies float, Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele sang "Give My Regards to Broadway." Among the costumed candies were Green M+M as Elphaba (Wicked), Red M+M as King Arthur (Monty Python's Spamalot), Blue M+M as The Phantom of the Opera and Orange and Yellow M+M from A Chorus Line. Sarah Brightman (original Christine of The Phantom of the Opera) dressed as a Pirate Queen atop the Jolly Polly Pirate Ship float sang "The Journey Home." Nikki Blonsky of the Hairspray movie performed "You Can't Stop the Beat" on-board the American Classic Malt Shop float. Michael Feinstein and Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose (Caroline or Change, Dreamgirls movie) sang a new Feinstein/Schermerhorn tune "Give Me The Key to This Wonderful City" on the History Channel's float.
Celebrity appearances included: Ashley Tisdale and Corbin Bleu (High School Musical), Barbie as the Island Princess, Big Apple Circus cast members, Bindi Irwin and The Crocmen, Dolly Parton, the cast of "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends," Good Charlotte, Lifehouse, Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks, Kay Hanley, Menudo, Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith, Ne-Yo, the cast of "The Muppets" and "Sesame Street," Willard Scott, Wynonna Judd and of course Santa Claus!
Photos by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.
