Over the ‘Rainbow’: Ben Platt wows crowd with surprise guest Kacey Musgraves to open Broadway residency

nypost.com:

Ben Platt, you can invite Kacey Musgraves to share the stage anytime.The Tony-winning star of “Dear Evan Hansen” brought out the Grammy golden girl as his surprise guest on Tuesday’s opening night of his 18-show residency at Broadway’s historic Palace Theatre — which also served as the unveiling of the renovated venue.Platt — who will have a different special guest every show in the limited-engagement run through June 15 — said that Musgraves was “the very first person that popped into my mind [that] has got to do my opening” before he introduced the country-pop singer.“I admire her so much as an artist,” he continued. “Her songwriting has inspired me endlessly.

She is so unapologetically herself. She is liberal in a space that is really not liberal, which is really incredible … And she is a dear friend.

And I cannot believe that she came here, took a plane and is doing this for me. It’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”After Musgraves, 35, made her entrance to the delight of the crowd, she heaped praise on Platt. “Does he not sound f—king perfect?” she said.Then Platt, 30, shared how Musgraves’ song “Rainbow” — from her beloved 2018 album “Golden Hour” — comforted him in the darkest days of the pandemic. “I sang it and listened to it ad nauseum,” he said.And of course, the two had no choice but to duet on the song, bringing the audience to their feet with their heartfelt harmonies — and giving Platt an “out of body” experience on his big night.But that wasn’t the only “Rainbow” of the evening: Platt closed the night with a stunning rendition of “Over the Rainbow” — the signature song of his idol Judy Garland, who famously performed at the Palace in her career.“I was very in love with Judy Garland from a very.