The History Of Broadway

Compare and contrast the American musical theatre in the 1920s with that of the 1930s. How did each reflect and absorb its era? What forms & styles were dominant, what was the same, what was different and why? Do we see elements from these decades in shows today? Use examples from specific musicals.

The theatre has been a part of entertainment since ancient Greece, around 4th century BC or thereabouts. The theatre grew out of festivals in honor of the god Dionysus. Aeschylus created the first play in her honor. The first Greek plays were all tragedies but eventually comedy made its way and these plays were performed at festivals all over Greece. Through the centuries theater played the main role of entertainment from noble and royalty to the common person in any city or village, and as we move into the twenties

"Curtain! Fast music! Light! Ready for the last finale! Great! The show looks good, the show looks good!" - Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. This quote were the last words spoken by the famous producer of Broadway, Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. (also known as Flo). When he said those words he talking about how his life to coming to a close and his experience in the Broadway industry. It was always so fast paced and coming to a close. Ziegfeld helped to shape Broadway with his influence in the industry and introducing new types of shows and producing classic musicals. Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. was an important figure in 1920s American History because of his influence on Broadway and the way he shaped the industry.

Broadway was one of the first forms of entertainment. Before there were television programs, or movies, there was Broadway. Broadway originated in New York in 1750, when actor-manager Walter Murray built a theatre company at the Theatre on Nassau Street. A musical would show about once every weekend. The shows were very male based, and would commonly show a relationship between young boys and their fathers. Women were slowly integrated into Broadway, and as society changed its point of view on women, so did theatre.

In 1951, Frank Loesser’s Guys & Dolls opened and received what were said to be “the most unanimously ecstatic set of reviews in Broadway history” (Block 200). For a show whose development included disappointing librettos from eleven different writers, this feat was truly unbelievable (Lewis 73). The unprecedented success of Guys & Dolls and its ability to remain culturally significant, as a popularly revived piece, is the product of several attributes unique to this show. The unusual writing progression that led to a truly integrated libretto in terms of the relationship of the score to the text, Loesser’s assimilation of a unified, yet distinctive style of speech into his lyrics for the

June 1st, 1921 will forever be remembered as a day of great loss and devastation. It was on this day that America experienced the deadliest race riot in the small town of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ninety-four years later, that neighborhood is still recognized as one of the most prosperous African American neighborhoods to date. With hundreds of successful black-owned businesses lining Greenwood Avenue, it became a standard that African Americans are still trying to rebuild. The attack that took place in 1921 tore the community apart, claiming hundreds of lives and sending the once prosperous neighborhood up in smoke.

The history of The Globe Theatre comes from a building known as The Theatre. The Theatre, had been built by James Burbage, in Shoreditch (District in the East End of London) in 1576. The Burbage's had a 20-year lease of the land where the theater had been built. When the lease was up, the landlord intended on knocking the theater down. However, with the lease ending, James Burbage built the theatre in Blackfriars as a replacement. Unfortunately the wealthy people of Blackfriars persuaded the government to forbid its use for plays. James Burbage died in 1597. The members of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men had to rent a theater. In 1598, they decided to build a theater of their own. The Burbage’s sons got their fathers inheritance, Cuthbert and Richard, which were connected the Blackfriars, they formed an agreement with Shakespeare and a few other actors, who became partners for the new Globe. Each member had their own share, the two brothers, Cuthbert and Richard, got a bigger share than the others. Each person’s shares became smaller as

From the Ancient Greeks, to the Romans, and all the way to present day New York City, theatre is a tradition that has been passed down for thousands of years. The art of expression through live performance is something that will never go out of style. The history of Broadway is a rollercoaster with flourishing highs and devastating lows, but they both have significantly contributed to shaping the industry into the prosperous business that it is today.

A trip to 42nd street circa 1990 was certainly no destination fit for a family. Walls of graffiti adorn the peeling awnings of storefronts and theatres promise private dances and live nude women. Porn shops dotted the city block with colorful invitations to sex hotlines and signs prohibiting entry to anyone under the age of eighteen (Wollman 445). Decades earlier, during the Prohibition era, speakeasies and brothels lined the city, creating New York’s red light district. Today’s Times Square, however, bares no hint of resemblance to its former image of sleaze and mystery. Neon lights that once illustrated silhouettes of burlesque dancers have since been fashioned into the welcoming faces of cartoon characters. Signs visible

The Broadway Musical has been a sensational part of the American culture ever since it started in the 19th century located in Manhattan, New York City; however, they were not always in Manhattan. A musical is a play or movie in which singing and dancing plays an essential part. Musicals developed from light opera in the early 20th century. Musicals originated in England; however, musicals developed into their modern form in the Broadway theatre located in New York City. Broadway is also known as “The Great White Way” because of the millions of lights that light up the night that surround the billboards and theatre marquees throughout Broadway.

Two great writers of American musical theatre, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, had one idea in common. They wanted to present to the American public a new and revolutionary musical that would stand out above the rest. They wanted to make an impact on the societies of the era. They wanted to be creative and do something that was considered rebellious. When they finally combined their ideas together they created an American masterpiece in musical theatre: Oklahoma!. It was the first Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration, starting the most successful creative partnership in the history of American musical theatre.

Throughout American history there has been many events that have affected the way the United States is governed. Many of these events have been documented throughout letters, movies and plays that recreate them for future generations. It is these events and time periods that allow America to grow as a nation. When the United States were merely colonies, the Revolutionary War had taken place in which the colonists had gained their freedom from England. Although only ⅓ of colonists believed in the Revolution it was still a monumental event because the United States had gained its freedom. Other events like World War 2 and 9/11 played a similar role because it had a positive impact on the American culture. Smaller protests such as The Newsboy Strike of 1899 which occured in New York City was unknown to the general population of neighboring states but had a huge impact in New York. These events further helped the government of New York to grow as a state and reinform laws that helped the working class. In both the broadway shows, “Newsies” and “Hamilton” the setting is recreated to mirror the time period in which the events being portrayed have occurred as well as show the importance of them on the American society.

With up to 40 very different Broadway shows playing at any one time on the Great White Way in New York City, Broadway shows must actively market themselves to ensure new or continued success. Marketing campaigns begin very early in the process (sometimes as the Broadway-bound show is still being written) and often include a full-scale advertising assault that includes Print, Environmental, Web, Radio, TV, and Direct Mail ads. These measures are necessary because, at the end of the day, the success or failure of a Broadway show will depend wholly on how many tickets are sold. Critical accolades can also help with sustaining a Broadway musical or play, but there have been many times when the Tony Awards have been given to shows that have long

Scene and costume or outfit. Highlighting the splendor of landlocked Combining the fundamental importance of the creative music and dance that has evolved to suit the content of the story, including light, sound and technique of the scene. Changing Scene And live performances of the actors are talented in singing, dancing, making Broadway Theatre is impressive in terms of

Broadway Inbound is the arm of Shubert Organization specializing in travel industry and wholesale ticket distribution for Broadway, Off Broadway and live theatrical events in New York City. Broadway Inbound provides various technologies to give wholesale partners access to extensive inventory directly from venue box offices' primary ticketing systems including its sister company, Telecharge.com. Broadway Inbound’s ongoing outreach to international tour operators, group ticket buyers and travel agents, which includes seminars and workshops as well as ticketing services geared directly to their needs. The company also has marketing partnerships with local firms in in Japan, Germany, Brazil, Australia, the U.K., and China to drum up Broadway’s