Download A BRIEF HISTORY OF BROADWAY In an era of dazzling 3

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BROADWAY
In an era of dazzling 3-D movies and stunning IMAX films, Broadway theater entertainment remains one of the most popular attractions
in NYC (New York City). Few NYC attractions match the excitement and spectacle of a Broadway musical. Featuring 40 Broadway
theaters, high-profile stage actors, and world-class sets and costumes, Broadway shows are must-see entertainment for tourist in NYC.
Broadway refers to the famous street in Manhattan that has become the worldwide leader in stage entertainment. The history of
Broadway dates all the way back to the 1700's, when the first NYC stage was built on Massau Street. This NYC theater held less than
300 people, and mostly presented Shakespeare plays from across the pond. It wasn't until after the American Revolution - in 1798 that the first great NYC theater was built.
BROADWAY IN THE 1800s
Built on Chatham St in Downtown Manhattan, the Park Theater NYC ushered in a new era of theater in New York. Several more NYC
theaters opened up between 1800- 1850. After the Civil War, the center of New York theater moved from Downtown to Midtown
Manhattan, because of their cheaper rates on NY real estate. In the late-1800's and early 1900's, the dramatic rise in train
transportation - as well as the NYC subway - lead to a drop in poverty and a higher demand for evening New York entertainment.
Soon, the NYC theater district was bustling, leading to more expensive and ambitious Broadway productions.
THE GREAT WHITE WAY
Originally coined by the New York Evening Telegram, "The Great White Way" refers to the Theater District area of Broadway, which
encompasses 42nd St to 53rd St in Midtown. Beginning in the early-1900's, Broadway theaters used bright electric signs made up of
white lights to advertise shows. Soon, the bright lights of Broadway NYC would become known as "The Great White Way," giving birth
to a new NYC landmark. It was also around this time that Broadway theaters finally made their way to Times Square NY.
After a great New York Broadway run in the 1920's saw the premiere of a number of classic Broadway shows - including The Jazz
Singer and No, No, Nanette - Broadway was faced with the uncertainty of The Great Depression. The number of Broadway shows
dwindled in the 1930's, as famous Broadway producers found themselves out of money and out on the street like so many other
Americans. However, much like New York City has again and again, Broadway would soon persevere.
THE GOLDEN AGE OF BROADWAY
In the 1940's, Broadway shows would rebound with a great run that would shape into the prestigious mecca of stage production that it
is today. The classic Broadway musical adaption by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Oklahoma!, opened in 1943 and was an instant hit. Its
run of 2,212 performances at the famous St. James Theater in Manhattan was by far the longest of its time.
Almost immediately, other NYC Broadway shows used Oklahoma! as a blueprint for Broadway success. Broadway shows like The
Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire - both by the famous playwright Tennessee Williams - also opened with great success
in the 1940's, as well as the smash Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun, also written by Rodgers and Hammerstein.
The 1940's transformed the Theater district in Broadway into a world leader when it came to stage productions. In 1947, the first-ever
Tony Awards recognized the grand achievements of Broadway musicals and plays.
NOTABLE PLAYS OF THE PAST 30 YEARS
Over the last three decades, Broadway has seen a rise in expensive stage productions only "The Great White Way" could pull off.
Cats: This Broadway musical produced by the famous composer/director Andrew Lloyd Webber was the longest-running Broadway
musical ever, until Webber's own The Phantom of the Opera overtook the honor in 2006. This dazzling play based on a children's book
by T.S. Elliot was a worldwide sensation, and enjoyed great success in NYC and London.
Les Miserables: This epic follows a number of characters during the French Revolution, and features one of the most popular
Broadway musical soundtracks of all time. The London production has run continuously since October 1985 – the longest-running
musical in the West End (London’s version of Broadway) and the second longest-running musical in the world.
The Lion King: A musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice.
Directed by Julie Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well as giant, hollow puppets.In September 2014, The
Lion King Became the top-grossing (made the most money) musical of all time with more than $6.2 billion earned globally.
Wicked: The popular Broadway musical Wicked provides audiences with a different perspective on the famous Wicked Witch of the
West from the Wizard of Oz. This family-friendly Broadway musical has been a hit with audiences since it premiered in 2003.
BROADWAY READING QUIZ
NAME: _________________________________
_____1. The history of Broadway dates all the way back to the 1700's, when the first NYC stage was built on
A) Broadway
B) Fifth Avenue
C) Massau Street
D) Chatham Street
_____2. In the 1800s, this theatre ushered in a new era of theater in New York.
A) Chatham Theatre
B) The Park Theatre NYC
C) Downtown Theatre
D) The New York Theatre
_____3. After the Civil War, the center of New York theater moved from Downtown to Midtown Manhattan, because of
A) cheaper rates on NY real estate
B) The building of the NYC subway
C) a dramatic rise in train transportation
D) The Great Depression
_____4. Originally coined by the New York Evening Telegram, this term refers to the Theater District area of Broadway, which
encompasses 42nd St to 53rd St in Midtown.
A) Times Square
`B) The Great White Way
C) Midtown Manhattan D) Wall Street
_____5. Bright electric signs made up of white lights to advertise Broadway shows became known as
A) Lights Of Broadway B) Neon Valley
`C) Great White Way
D) Light Up New York
_____6. This award recognizes the grand achievements of Broadway musicals and plays.
A) Emmy Award
B) Grammy Award
C) Academy Award
D) Tony Award
_____7. The Golden Age of Broadway began
A) between 1800-1850 B) in the early 1900s
C) 1930s
D) 1940s
_____8. In what year did the first-ever Tony Awards recognized the grand achievements of Broadway musicals and plays.
A) 1886
B) 1932
C) 1947
D) 1962
_____9. This show ran for 1,212 at the St. James Theatre
A) Oklahoma!
B) Annie Get Your Gun C) Streetcar Named DESIRE
D) The Glass Menagerie
_____10. Which of the following shows overtook CATS as the longest running Broadway musical ever
A) Wicked
B) Phantom Of The Opera
C) Les Miserables
_____11. Which of the following shows was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber
A) Cats
B) Les Miserables
C) Oklahoma
D) The Lion King
D) Wicked
_____12. The top-grossing (made the most money) musical of all time with more than $6.2 billion earned globally.
A) Wicked
B) Phantom Of The Opera
C) Les Miserables
D) The Lion King