NEW YORK - Adam Perry is one of Broadway's most sought after dancers, but with the mandatory shutdown in effect on the great white way, Perry has found a new way to stay creative, through the art of floral arrangements. 

During the week, you can often find Adam picking up the best of the bunch, whether it's in the Flower District or at his local bodega in Astoria. 

Perry said he first discovered his love of flowers very early on.

What You Need To Know

  • Adam Perry is one of Broadway's most sought after dancers, but the mandatory shutdown is still in effect

  • Adam has found a new way to stay creative, through the art of floral arrangements

  • Our Frank DiLella has more on this story of reinvention in the face of difficulty

“I think I was probably like five or six. I used to go out and cut greens and flowers from the yard and I would make little arrangements for my mom,” Perry explained. “My mom actually sent me a photo the other day. She has the very first flower I ever picked for her and she has it, you know, smashed in this like baby book. And she was just like, ‘You've been doing this ever since you were like a baby.’”

Adam said he's been able to keep the lights on in his apartment by selling arrangements. 

While, flowers certainly brighten up his day, Adam has been in a dark place, dating back to almost a year ago when he was performing in Disney's Frozen.

“I actually tore my patellar tendon, which takes a long time to heal. And, for a while I was doing the show and just kind of trying to push through it because I didn't think it was that serious of an injury, but eventually I had to. Last December, right before the pandemic, I had to take, had to leave the show going on medical leave,” said Perry.

A few months later, Adam was diagnosed with COVID-19 and the effects of the virus lasted for five months. 

“To actually have an existential crisis and face my mortality was something I didn't think I would ever do so young,” Perry said.

To make matters worse, Frozen was one of a handful of Broadway shows that posted closing notices during the early months of COVID-19.

“Being in quarantine and being sick, I kind of had this pushing drive that one day I would dance on Broadway again. I would be back on stage and Frozen. And when I found out that it wasn't coming back, all that kind of just got taken away. I just, it just goes to show you not to take one thing for granted, not one show, not one moment on stage, nothing in your life should you take for granted,” Perry said.

And while he may not be showing up each night to perform for hundreds on stage, he's still entertaining and delivering joy. 

“I think that flowers is the thing that keeps me going, honestly, because the reason I do love theater so much and love performing is creation and the creative process. So to be able to arrange flowers and create something that people can enjoy is, I think, what keeps me alive in this whole game,” Perry concluded.