New York City was hit by a blackout on Saturday evening, taking out power across Manhattan.
The power cut forced thousands on to the streets as buildings in the area were evacuated, including theatres in which Broadway shows were due to begin.
All performances for the evening were cancelled as a result of the blackout, but that didn’t stop cast members from putting on a show.
As thousands gathered outsider theatres in the crowded streets, widespread singing broke out.
The cast of Waitress: The Musical kept crowds entertained as they performed numbers from the show outside the closed theatre. The Millennial Choirs and Orchestra, which had been scheduled to play at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, also continued their show outside.
Across town, members of the cast from Rock of Ages continued the show, performing the classic Don't Stop Believin' to a jubilant crowd, while the Hadestown ensemble had people dancing as they improvised a blackout-themed song, trombone in tow.
Twitter user Briallen Hopper called it a “New York moment”.
Hundreds of thousands of people across the city were affected by the outage, which plunged Manhattan into darkness, causing subway cars and elevators to stall. The New York City Fire Department said a transformer fire at West 64th Street and West End Avenue affected a 30-block stretch from Times Square to about 72nd Street and Broadway.
-
Times Square's billboards are dark after a power outage hit Manhattan in New York City. AFP -
Screens in Times Square are black during a power outage in New York. AP -
A police officer directs traffic with Times Square's dark billboards in the background after a power outage hit Manhattan in New York City. AFP -
The sun sets behind 42nd Street in Manhattan during a power outage in New York City. AFP -
The sun sets behind 42nd Street in Manhattan during a power outage in New York City. AFP -
Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo speaks to the media after widespread power outages in the Manhattan borough of New York. Reuters -
A residential building near the Times Square area, as a blackout affects buildings and traffic during widespread power outages in the Manhattan borough of New York. Reuters -
People sit outside their residential building near the Times Square area. Reuters -
People celebrate on 6th Ave after the lights came back on. AFP -
Radio City Music Hall on 6th Ave is pictured after the lights came back on. AFP -
People are evacuated outside Row NYC hotel. AFP -
People walk along a dark street near the Times Square area. Reuters
The fire happened just before 7pm US time on Saturday, authorities said.
