Community the star of BroadwayCon

There is nothing like BroadwayCon. Between the panels and performances, the sneak peeks and meet-and-greets, the merchandise and the sing-alongs and the stars – it's Broadway heaven.

But my favorite part wasn't any of those.

Sure, I loved hearing convention co-founder Anthony Rapp sing "What You Own" again. I soaked up information about set design from creative geniuses Beowulf Boritt, David Korins and Derek McLane. I was in awe of the stories told by the original cast and creative teams of "Annie" and "Merrily We Roll Along" and theater legends like Chita Rivera and Bebe Neuwirth. I roared with laughter at the Slumber Party, the Blizzard Party Line and BroadwayCon Feud.

I geeked out over meeting Joel Grey (let me repeat that — I MET JOEL GREY!). I drooled over the "Rent" memorabilia in the museum. I relished hearing from the casts of "Dear Evan Hansen," "A Bronx Tale," "Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812," "Hamilton" and more. I loved hearing amazing artists like Tom Kitt play their own work. I enjoyed the exclusive peeks at upcoming shows. I collected convention-specific Lights of Broadway cards, more than a few vintage Playbills and a couple of T-shirts, and learned about some incredible theater outreach groups.

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But my favorite part?

Seeing so many people in the crowd come to the realization that they were home.

Seeing a young teen realize there are other theater fanatics just like him out there.

Seeing young adults finally realizing that there are other people in the world who will drop everything and join in a "Phantom" sing-along in the middle of a crowded room. That other people obsess over "Dear Evan Hansen," analyze every word of "Hamilton" and have heard of "Bare." That they're not the only one on the planet who loves "State Fair" and wonders whether "Heathers" will ever make it to Broadway.

Seeing adults connect not only with newfound friends of their age, but those older and younger.

Seeing that whenever a person was standing alone, it was never for long.

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Seeing faces light up as they realized people there really, truly "get" them.

Seeing people who finally found a place where they can walk around dressed as Monsieur Thénardier, and not only would people recognize them, but they would scramble to take a selfie with them.

But most importantly, seeing people realize that they are accepted, loved and perfect just the way they are. It sounds corny as anything, but it's so, so true. And maybe now more than ever, so needed.

And the organizers of BroadwayCon know that. From the start last year, their theme was "There's a Place For Us."

It was a cornerstone of Lesli Margherita's Variety Hour. In addition to a spectacular showing of "Star Wars: Das Musical," the queen of Broadway spent a long time railing against the kinds of "poopers" who block your pathway in life with negativity, bullying and more. In her signature your-ribs-will-hurt-from-laughing-so-hard manner, she addressed a serious topic and, as I tweeted at the time, I wish nothing more than for every kid out there who is hurting or discouraged to hear her message.

Throughout the weekend, there were so many similar moments. Most panels and performances touched on the need for acceptance and unity in an uncertain world. Dozens of performers went out of their way and made it a point to connect with people throughout the weekend.

But as Melissa Anelli, the second co-founder of BroadwayCon, so eloquently put it in her closing speech, the bubble of BroadwayCon was heading toward an inevitable burst.

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"If you leave here and are met with hatred, intolerance, oppression and bigotry from people who want to build walls, take away rights and tear down spirits, please remember what it was like this weekend, the times you felt: impassioned, enlightened, welcomed, informed, safe, included, happy, encouraged, accepted and loved ... The times you were embraced for being exactly who you are. The time you spent around people who understand and agree that joy can be resistance, art can be power and that love is always, always, always the answer.

"Please remember those times. And please use it. Use it to take what happened in this bubble out into the world because if we don't share what we felt this weekend, we could lose it. And we will be right here for you. The Broadway and the BroadwayCon community will be here for you all year long, helping raise and share the art and the activism and the care and compassion that are going to get us through what's ahead."

Amen. And thank you, Broadway.

Ilana Keller: 732-643-4260; ikeller@gannettnj.com