NEW YORK — With a boost from the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, Broadway is now officially back after the longest shutdown in its history.

More than 15 months after the entire industry closed overnight because of the COVID-19 pandemic, opening night of “Springsteen On Broadway” at the St. James Theatre on Saturday marked the return of life to the Great White Way.

It’s been a long time coming.

The excitement was palpable inside and outside the theater as Broadway and Bruce fans gathered on 45th Street to celebrate the historic reopening.

This show marks a return engagement for the Boss who previously played Broadway back in 2017. That production was filmed for Netflix and earned Springsteen a Special Tony Award.

In regards to COVID-19 safety protocols, you must show proof that you’ve been vaccinated when entering the theater. That mandate is being met with some pushback. There was a group of protestors outside who say the vaccine rule for entering the St. James is unfair and has to be dropped.

That didn’t stop the parade of diehards from streaming in, vaccine cards at the ready, eager to see Springsteen in an intimate Broadway theater. That included famous fans like Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

Inside the theater you could feel the emotion in the crowd as they eagerly awaited their first Broadway show in almost a year and a half.

Springsteen matched the crowd’s energy with a powerful performance that included some song changes from the original Broadway run, and an acknowledgment of the struggles of the ongoing pandemic.

The show ended to rapturous applause as the Boss took his final bows.

What an incredible night - and one I will never forget. Springsteen marks the first show to open on Broadway.

The next play to take center stage is "Pass Over" which will open at the August Wilson Theatre in early August.

And of course, I’ll be there to take in all the sights and sounds as Broadway finally gets back on its feet.