NEW YORK — Emily Tow and Maureen Falvey were thrilled to catch the first in-person performance at The Public Theater on Tuesday, since the shutdown of live performances in March of 2020.

“I just, signed me up for the first day we can come back,” Tow said.

The friends share a passion for the arts and say virtual shows just aren’t the same.

“I think we had a chance to see what we miss the most and there was tremendous deprivation with the theater, it’s the place where I experience my greatest joy, so I can’t believe it’s true, I can’t believe it’s here,” Falvey said.

After a year of going dark, The Public Theater is just one of the many venues filling up its schedule.

Madison Square Garden announced Tuesday it will host the first concert at 100% capacity on June 20.

All fans will be vaccinated to see the Foo Fighters take the stage. Plus, according to multiple reports MTVs Video Music Awards, or the VMAs, will return to Barclays Center in September.

Falvey says she’s missed the human connection that in-person events offer.

“Just a shared experience with people at the same time, not on a Zoom but just the added effect of like we’re all experiencing something special at the same time is everything,” she said.

That goes for Broadway too. Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed his excitement Tuesday about Bruce Springsteen returning to the stage on June 26 with "Springsteen on Broadway".

“Broadway epitomizes New York City. Broadway coming back means New York City's coming back. Broadway coming back means our arts and culture are coming back, the life of the city coming back, jobs coming back, tourists coming back;” De Blasio said.

At The Public Theater, proof of vaccination is not required to attend shows but guests must wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and undergo a temperature check at the door.

Tickets can be purchased at publictheater.org.