Tears, joy and surprise guests as Broadway's big musicals return

NEW YORK: Broadway's biggest musicals roared back to life on Tuesday, banishing the eerie silence of the last 18 months in New York's pandemic-hit theater district with screams, tears and standing ovations.

Emotions were giddy as the curtain rose again on top musicals "Hamilton," "The Lion King" and "Wicked" before packed audiences welcoming back live theater after the coronavirus shutdown.

"Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda received a standing ovation when he appeared on stage before the start of his Tony Award-winning hip-hop show about America's founding fathers.