The New York Yankees will get a little boost from Broadway for their home opener at Yankee Stadium on April 13. Newsies leading man Jeremy Jordan will kick off the afternoon by singing the national anthem, while Jesus Christ Superstar’s title star Paul Nolan will belt out “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch, according to the actors' respective Twitter pages. The Yankees will take on the Los Angeles Angels beginning at 1PM.
Jordan has appeared on Broadway in Bonnie & Clyde, West Side Story and Rock of Ages. He also co-starred with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah in the film Joyful Noise. Nolan is making his Broadway in the revival of Jesus Chris Superstar. His previous Canadian credits include The Grapes of Wrath, As You Like It, West Side Story, Cabaret and King Lear.
Major League Baseball began including “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch after the terrorist attacks on September 11. Several Broadway actors have previously done the honors of singing the tune including Patrick Wilson and Aaron Tveit.