Photos: CAROLINE, OR CHANGE Welcomes Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for Its First Preview

The new Broadway production of the Tony Award nominated and Olivier Award-winning musical Caroline, or Change, began previews, tonight at Studio 54. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was in attendance to address the crowd and pay a visit backstage with the cast and creatives.

As a longstanding champion of theater in New York, Senator Schumer fought tirelessly to pass the bipartisan "Save Our Stages Act" legislation, which created the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program that awarded $10 million-the maximum amount-to Roundabout Theatre Company in June 2021. In total, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program has awarded nearly $1.5 billion to more than 1,300 venues across New York.

Last month, Senator Schumer also contacted the charge d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in London to break through a bureaucratic logjam and facilitate Sharon D Clarke's National Interest Exception waiver and visa approval to travel to the United States for rehearsals.

Sharon D Clarke returns to her Olivier Award-winning role as Caroline Thibodeaux, with Gabriel Amoroso (Noah Gellman), Alexander Bello (Jackie Thibodeaux), John Cariani (Stuart Gellman), Joy Hermalyn (Grandma Gellman), Arica Jackson (The Washing Machine), Tamika Lawrence (Dotty Moffett), Caissie Levy (Rose Stopnick Gellman), Adam Makké (Noah Gellman), Kevin S. McAllister (The Dryer, The Bus), Harper Miles (Radio 3), N'Kenge (The Moon), Nya (Radio 2), Richard Alexander Phillips (Alternate for Jackie Thibodeaux and Joe Thibodeaux), Jayden Theophile (Joe Thibodeaux), Nasia Thomas (Radio 1), Jaden Myles Waldman (Noah Gellman), Samantha Williams (Emmie Thibodeaux), Stuart Zagnit (Grandpa Gellman) and Chip Zien (Mr. Stopnick).

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