When they're not plying the boards, Broadway and off-Broadway actors (along with stagehands, musicians and ushers) show their less-used talents in New York City's Central Park, by playing softball in the Broadway Show League.

New York

Members of the Broadway community, including actors, musicians, stagehands, and other theater staff, participate in the Broadway Show League, a softball league held in New York City's Central Park. The league, which has a history spanning seven decades, provides an opportunity for theater professionals to bond and unwind outside of their usual stage roles. Notable participants have included stars such as Nick Jonas, Julie Andrews, Lucille Ball, and even George Clooney. The league is known for its inclusive spirit, where everyone from stars to backstage crew are equals on the field. The reigning champions are the team from the musical Wicked, and the league is celebrated for fostering camaraderie and a sense of community among its diverse members.

Broadway's longest-running hit … on the softball field

If all the world's a stage, this softball field in New York's Central Park is no exception. That's because each summer, the Broadway community gathers here to have their moment in a different kind of spotlight. It seems like you take this seriously. I take it somewhat seriously. I take my body not falling apart a lot more seriously than the softball, perhaps, because I have to be on stage tonight. Nick Jonas is currently co-starring in the Broadway musical The Last Five Years. But out here, he's part of a larger ensemble of performers, musicians, ushers, electricians, and stagehands. In short, anyone and everyone who makes Broadway and off-Broadway tick. It's kind of the highlight of my week, apart from being able to be on the Broadway stage, being out here with co-workers and colleagues and all that is pretty special. Since it got its start 70 years ago, the Broadway Show League has had more than its share of star power. Julie Andrews and Lucille Ball got into the action in 1961. And in the years since, so have countless others, looking to live out dreams of baseball glory or just blow off steam between shows. Where you going? Show League game. The improv's playing Rochelle, Rochelle, the musical. Really? The league was even spoofed on Seinfeld when Bette Midler is injured in a home plate collision with an overzealous George Costanza. Broadway doesn't get quite that heated, but passions can run high, says actor Apollo Levine, who plays Michael Jackson's father in MJ the Musical. What is Broadway trash talk? Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, he's too tall. Go back to dancing, man, go like, yeah, it's, yeah, you gotta get him where it hurts. You can't, like, you got the ball, but you can't hit the note at night, like, you know. That is fierce. But for all the friendly rivalry, league commissioner John Gordon says that on the field, it's truly a team effort. You work with the stars of the show and the front of house staff and the backstage crew, and then when you come out here on Thursday afternoons, everybody's equal. There is no star. Just don't want any of those brushback pitches. Well, there is George Clooney, hiding from no one in shades and a ball cap. All in all, he's just another name on the roster. All summer long, shows compete against other shows, as well as unions, theater companies, and talent agencies. The reigning champs are the team from the musical Wicked. Catcher Jessica Vaughn serves as costume dresser for Glinda the Good Witch. Are there skills that are interchangeable between being Glinda's dresser and being a catcher for the Wicked softball team? Literally catching emotions, costumes, you know, and like being able to make decisions fast, be quick on my feet, like you have to be out here. What are some moments that you'll never forget? Our first week, I actually hit the ball over Nick Jonas' head, so that was a personal highlight. So yeah, it's exciting for me to just make contact. With Nick Jonas or the ball? The ball. Yeah. The ball. The ball enters its eighth decade. Nick Jonas says it's the sense of community that makes this long-running Broadway production a perennial hit. This is just about getting together, trying to hit a ball, run around, and you just feel like kids, and it's kind of the perfect way to encapsulate what this is all about. Way to go, Nick. Good job. You guys were awesome. Good to see you.

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