We Chose to Go to the Moon
Returning to Carnegie Hall on April 7 & 8, 2026
We Chose to Go to the Moon returns to Carnegie Hall on April 7 & 8, 2026. Experience the euphoria and the heartbreak of America’s space race in this immersive performance narrated by historian John Monsky and directed by Tony winner Michael Mayer (Chess, Spring Awakening). With his signature mix of soaring music, archival film and photography, historic flags, and personal stories of all those involved—from astronauts and their families, including Neil and then-wife Janet Armstrong, to the unsung heroes of Mission Control—Monsky explores one of America’s greatest accomplishments in singular fashion. Ian Weinberger (Chess, Hamilton) conducts top Broadway vocalists and Orchestra of St. Luke’s in music from the era—popular, patriotic, and protesting, from “Fly Me To The Moon” to “Rocket Man,” “Space Oddity,” and “My Generation”—transporting audiences from quaking launch pads to tension-filled living rooms where families sat glued to their televisions, culminating in the fulfillment of President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to the nation on July 20, 1969.
We Chose to Go to the Moon is presented with the generous support of Kenneth C. Griffin and Griffin Catalyst.
The program features vignettes and vocal performances by stage and film star Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect, Spring Awakening), who will portray Neil Armstrong, Grammy Award-nominee Brent Comer (The Outsiders), Claybourne Elder (Company, “The Gilded Age”), TV star Elizabeth Gillies (Netflix’s “Dynasty”), Tony Award nominee Taylor Louderman (Mean Girls), and Grammy and Tony Award-nominee Joy Woods (Gypsy, Six).
Please note: this performance is being captured for future national broadcast.
Broadway vocalists who have performed as a part of the program in the past include Shonica Gooden (Hamilton), Adam Kantor (The Band's Visit), Elena Shaddow (Fiddler on The Roof) and David St. Louis (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).
Tickets are SOLD OUT
At this time, tickets for We Chose to Go to the Moon at Carnegie Hall on April 7 and 8 are sold out. If you’d like to be added to a waiting list should more tickets become available, please email [email protected] with your name, and how many tickets you’re looking for.
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Skylar Astin
Skylar Astin can most recently be seen opposite Marcia Gay Harden on CBS’s So Help Me Todd. Prior to that, he starred in NBC’s award-winning series Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, and was previously seen in Disney’s Secret Society of Second Born Royals. Prior to “Zoey’s,” Astin starred in the final season of The CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and is known best for playing “Jesse” in the Pitch Perfect franchise. Additionally, he starred as “Isaiah Miller” alongside Nick Nolte in the Golden Globe-nominated dark comedy Graves. Other notable film roles include starring opposite Miles Teller in the comedy 21 And Over, Taking Woodstock (dir. Ang Lee), the Sundance cult-hit Hamlet 2, as well as Flock of Dudes, Cavemen, Ghosts of War, Hot Air, and the beloved Disney animated film Wreck-It Ralph. In television, he starred in Bill Lawrence's multi-camera comedy Ground Floor and has appeared in shows such as Girls, Halt and Catch Fire, House, Grey’s Anatomy, and Love Bites. Astin's first break came as “Georg” in the 2006 cultural phenomenon Spring Awakening. The show went on to win eight Tony Awards and a Grammy Award. He portrayed the role of “Tony” in Carnegie Hall's 2016 production of West Side Story and appeared in Encore's production of Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater. He was also seen in Pulitzer Prize nominee Theresa Rebeck’s play, What We’re Up Against. Astin performed at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Into the Woods (“Baker”), Rent (“Mark”), Everybody Rise, and Do You Hear The People Sing. Astin currently has original music on Spotify and everywhere else you can stream music. @skylarastin
Brent Comer
Brent Comer most recently starred as “Darrel Curtis” in the Broadway production of The Outsiders (OBC), which received the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. National Tour: Les Misérables. Regional credits include Tame That Bitch, Titus Andronicus, King Edward III, and Orpheus Descending. Upcoming: the Netflix feature film The Mosquito Bowl, directed by Peter Berg. Training: James Madison University.
Claybourne Elder
Claybourne Elder is a Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Grammy and SAG Award nominee and is known for his performances on Broadway as “Andy” in the Tony Award-winning revival of Company, Sunday in the Park with George, Torch Song, and Bonnie and Clyde. On TV, he played “John Adams” for three seasons on HBO’s hit series The Gilded Age and also appeared in the Hallmark Channel Original Deck the Walls. Other credits include: “Hollis” in Sondheim’s Road Show at The Public Theater, Sondheim on Sondheim at the Hollywood Bowl, Do I Hear a Waltz,this season’s The Wild Party at City Center Encores, One Arm at The New Group, Allegro at Classic Stage, Venice at the Public Theatre, Strike Up the Band at Carnegie Hall, and Passion at Signature Theatre. His solo show has played to sold-out crowds across the country and in London and his debut album, “If the Stars Were Mine,” will be released on April 3 by Center Stage Records. @claybourneelder
Elizabeth Gillies
Elizabeth Gillies is an actress, singer, and director known for her roles as “Fallon Carrington” in the popular Netflix series, Dynasty, and “Jade West” in the generation-defining Nickelodeon series, Victorious. Gillies returned to her Broadway roots last year, starring in the acclaimed Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors as “Audrey.” A few of her TV credits include The Hunting Party, The Orville, White Collar, Family Guy, and the FX series, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, where she starred opposite Denis Leary for two seasons. On the film side, Gillies can be seen in Vacation, Arizona, Animal, Catwoman: Hunted, and Spread, which she also produced. In addition to her acting career, Gillies is a singer who performs regularly to sold-out audiences across the country. She has two records out with her longtime friend and collaborator, Seth MacFarlane.
Taylor Louderman
Taylor Louderman is a Tony-nominated actress, educator, and philanthropist, best known for originating the role of Regina George in Broadway’s Mean Girls. She made her Broadway debut leading Bring it On: The Musical and went on to star as “Wendy” in Peter Pan Live! (NBC) and Lauren in Kinky Boots on Broadway. Her TV credits include series regulars on NBC’s Kenan and Nick Jr's Sunny Day as well as roles on The Good Fight (CBS), Evil (CBS), The Loudest Voice (Showtime) and High Maintenance (HBO). Beyond performing, Taylor co-wrote a teen musical, Pitch In, now being performed in middle schools nationwide and founded the nonprofit Write Out Loud Project, supporting emerging musical theatre songwriters.
Joy Woods
Joy Woods is a Chicago-born, New York–based performer who has quickly established herself as one of Broadway’s rising stars. She received Tony and Grammy Award nominations for her performance as “Louise” in the Broadway revival of Gypsy opposite Audra McDonald, and recently starred in London’s 30th Anniversary Concert of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World. Woods made her professional debut at 19 as “Chiffon” in the 2019 Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors, and later returned to the show in the leading role of “Audrey.” She made her Broadway debut in SIX as “Catherine Parr” in 2022, and gained widespread attention for her breakout performance as “Middle Allie” in the 2024 Broadway adaptation of The Notebook. Other stage credits include performances at Carnegie Hall, the Met, 54 Below, Classic Stage Company, New York City Center, and regional theatres across the U.S. She is committed to telling stories that center on women of color and expand the emotional vocabulary of contemporary musical theater. @joynwoods