On Wednesday, April 13th, Garden of Dreams young people took to the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall to perform in the 2022 Garden of Dreams Talent Show, themed “Beyond A Dream.”
While the Talent Show is an annual event, the program had been on hiatus for two years due to the pandemic. Some performers had been waiting to showcase their talents since originally auditioning and earning a spot in the 2020 show.
Every young person on stage and every guest in the audience will agree: it was an evening worth waiting for. Over 100 young people from Garden of Dreams partners wowed the crowd of 2,500 people as they sang, danced, played musical instruments, and most importantly, shared their stories alongside their talents.
The excitement for the show filled the air throughout the city – literally! Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and our Talent Show performers lit up the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden before the young people took the Great Stage on April 13th.
MSG Networks personalities Bill Pidto and Erik Coleman hosted the evening, and special celebrity presenters opened introduced performers. The Radio City Rockettes supported this event from auditions all the way to the big night offering mentorship, choreography, and even as on-stage escorts for our young people to kick off their acts in style.
During the show, legendary actor, comedian, and friend of the foundation Tracy Morgan received the 2022 Garden of Dreams Hero Award for his unwavering dedication to young people in need, including his artistic mentorship for many performers in the Talent Show.
There was no shortage of jaw-dropping performances, as act after act was met with thundering applause and even the occasional tear from audience members.
As a foundation, we are beyond proud of our young people for their grit, resilience, and of course their incredible artistry. We are also eternally grateful for the generosity of our board members and all those whose support of this show made the evening possible.
Finally, we want to extend our deepest thanks to every individual who filled the seats at Radio City Music Hall to show their love and support for our performers. It was an unforgettable evening all around, and we are already looking forward to next year’s show! See you there!