Instead of political references, Bruce Springsteen was intent on honoring a late peer to start his Broadway run. The 'preview' show on Tuesday was dedicated to the memory of Tom Petty, whom Bruce also paid tribute to on Twitter after his stunning death late Monday.

In a cover interview with Variety magazine, Springsteen says his new show is simply about looking to keep connecting with fans. "People want you to go deeper than politics, they want you to reach inside to their most personal selves and their deepest struggles with their daily lives and reach that place."

Springsteen on Broadway Danny Clinch Variety
Springsteen opens on Broadway, did he rip Trump? (Danny Clinch for Variety)
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He also explained there's a 'loose connection to the arc" of his memoir, Born to Run. Springsteen says he reads a little bit from it, tells some stories and plays some music.

The one-man show (with a couple of reported appearances by wife & collaborator, Patti Scialfa) involves a baby grand piano and a collection of guitars. 'Springsteen on Broadway' is slated to run through early February, with five shows a week.

As for whether we'd ever see a Springsteen campaign here in the Garden State?  The Boss told Variety he's never been tempted to run for say, governor, as he'd have "no business in politics."

Bruce Springsteen on Broadway politics, Tom Petty
Springsteen on Broadway opens (courtesy of Arlan Feiles)
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Proud Jersey Girl Erin Vogt’s first reporting gig involved her Fisher Price tape recorder. As a wife and momma of two kiddies, she firmly believes that life’s too short to drink bad coffee. A fan of the beach, Dave Grohl and karma, in no particular order.

Follow her on Twitter and on Facebook as ProudJersey.

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