The Toast of New York Came Out to See Hugh Jackman in Music Man

“He is the music man!” designer Donna Karan said on Thursday at the much-anticipated Broadway opening of Music Man, which stars Hugh Jackman in the titular role. “You see him in the spotlight, and there’s nothing like it—Hugh is why we’re all here tonight.” Indeed, the toast of New York came out to the Winter Garden theater on Thursday, including Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, Cynthia Nixon, Fran Lebowitz, Seth Meyers, Andy Cohen, and more. 

But not before an actual New York City high school marching band stormed up Broadway, giving the crowd of iPhone–wielding fans and celebrity guests alike clamoring for more. On the red carpet, the best-dressed showgoers seemed to get their beat from the uniforms worn by marching bands everywhere, as seen in razor-sharp tailoring and vivid pops of primary color. 

It was date night for Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, who hit a purple note in sculptural Sergio Hudson suiting. The blazer was left undone to reveal a high-shine bodysuit, while purple bedazzled Christian Louboutins made for a showstopping finish. Anne Hathaway cut a chic figure in a black strapless jumpsuit cinched at the waist. Draped around her shoulders (along with husband Adam Shulman) was a coat plucked off the Valentino’s Fall 2021 runway in a geometric diamond pattern strikingly similar to a marching band’s synchronized drill formation.

The sartorial mic drop came courtesy of Jordan Roth. The Tony-winning Broadway producer, and haute couture collectsor, understood the assignment. “You know I love a theme,” Roth said in a crimson puff-shouldered fitted jacket with metallic frogging. “I, of course, took inspiration from the Music Man, 76 trombones and all. Marching band-chic, but make it fashion, and Jerry Hall hair to finish it off.” 

It seemed fitting that the most memorable opening-night-style statements echoed the same upbeat mood felt in the iconic revival. Roth put it best when he said: “This is classic Broadway musical joy.”