On Thursday, May 2nd, Garden of Dreams hosted its 16th annual Talent Show at Radio City Music Hall.
The theme of this year’s show was “Dreams to Reality,” and that’s exactly what transpired on the Great Stage at Radio City in front of an audience of thousands. Over 150 young people representing 23 of the Foundation’s partner organization sang, danced, recited poetry, played musical instruments, and more – an unforgettable moment for each and every one of them, and a respite from the unimaginable challenges they face in their lives. Short vignettes outlining each performer’s personal stories played before Radio City Rockettes Maya Addie and Katelyn Gaffney escorted each act out onto the stage. We are incredibly grateful to the entire Rockette family, including Sydney Mesher and Danelle Morgan, who attended auditions and rehearsals to coach and provide encouragement to performers, as well as Taylor Shimko, who choreographed the show’s opening number with assistance from Maddie Rodrigue. The show simply would not have gone on (or shone quite as bright) without their contributions!
Garden of Dreams board member and Emmy-Award winning television personality Jill Martin hosted the evening and helped welcome a star-studded lineup of celebrity presenters – including New York sports legends Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, John Starks and Adam Graves; “Saturday Night Live” alumna Cecily Strong; celebrity pianist Chloe Flower; and Rachel Zegler of “West Side Story” and “The Hunger Games” fame, to name a few – to the stage.
Even among such top talent, our performers stole the show. Whether a guitarist, a bucket drummer, a dancer, a rapper or a Broadway showtune-belter, all acts wowed the crowd and brought the audience to tears (and standing ovations!) more than once. To perform at the famed Radio City Music Hall is an incredible feat for any artist, but to know that these young people did so even in the face of much adversity makes the Foundation exceptionally proud to call them part of the Garden of Dreams family.
Of course, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to all those who filled the seats at Radio City to cheer on our performers and provide them with much-needed support and memories they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives. Each year, the show seems more unforgettable than the last, and we are already excited for 2025 – see you there!
