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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