Broadway consists of the 40 professional theaters scattered across New York City’s Theatre District, including the Ambassador, Imperial, Majestic, and Shubert Theatres, among others. Collectively, the theaters are quoted to bring in over $900 million dollars a year. Theatre in New York got its foot-hold during the mid-to-late 1700s, at which time The Park, The Bowery, and The Astor Place Theatres were established. Originally focusing on the works of Shakespeare, Broadway moved in the musical direction during the mid-1800s with productions of “The Black Crook,” and the Gilbert and Sullivan “H.M.S. Pinafore,” among others. Actors on Broadway make a big distinction between their profession on what they call the “legitimate stage,” and other more variety oriented acts like vaudeville and burlesque.
Current masterpieces to hit Broadway for the 2009-2010 season include “Chicago,” “South Pacific,” “Wicked,” “Hair,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King,” and “Jersey Boys,” to name a few.
“Phantom” Sequel Coming to Broadway
Other News: Denzel Washington Seeks Play for Broadway Return By Carol-Ann Rudy Tony Award-winning director Jack O’Brien will direct “The…
Five Broadway Productions Back on Top
Broadway Gross Ticket Sales Week Ending December 16, 2007 By Carol-Ann Rudy It’s been a busy week on Broadway, and…
Broadway Returns to Form
Broadway Gross Ticket Sales Week Ending December 9, 2007 By Carol-Ann Rudy Now that the stagehands strike is completely settled,…
Stagehands Ratify Broadway Contract
By Alfred Branch, Jr. Although the official vote tally was not disclosed, Broadway stagehands Sunday overwhelmingly approved the new labor…
Usher May Return to Broadway
Usher, who recently performed to sold out Broadway audiences in “Chicago,” is reported to be considering the lead role in…
Broadway Comes Roaring Back
Broadway Gross Ticket Sales Week Ending December 2, 2007 By Carol-Ann Rudy After 19 days of darkness due to the…
“Cyrano” Extends Broadway Run
The current Broadway revival of the Kevin Kline/Jennifer Garner-led version of “Cyrano de Bergerac” at the Richard Rodgers Theatre has…
Broadway Preps for Waters’ “Cry Baby”
By Carol-Ann Rudy Cry Baby, the musical adaptation of the John Waters’ film that starred Johnny Depp, will likely join…
Broadway Shows Back on Stage
All Broadway shows will be back in business starting tonight, Nov. 29, following the resolution of the stagehands strike. The…
Broadway Strike Ends
Stagehands and Producers Reach Agreement By Alfred Branch, Jr. The 19-day-old strike by the stagehands union against theater owners and…