Broadway Theater History by ScoreBig.com
Even if you've never taken in a Broadway show in New York City, you've likely heard of this legendary theater district. The Broadway theater is actually comprised of numerous different theater houses located in Midtown Manhattan. Times Square is a part of the theater district, and it extends out from there. This bustling area actually contains more than just theaters. Restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, theatrical agencies, and recording studies are also located conveniently within close proximity to the Broadway theaters. Theatergoers have plentiful options when they want to purchase tickets to a Broadway show.
History of Broadway Theater
In 1883, the Metropolitan Opera House moved to the corner of Broadway and West 39th Street in New York City. After the Met moved in, other theaters and other types of businesses also began moving to the area, which soon became known as the theater district. Broadway suffered a temporary decline during the 1970s after a number of tacky and run-down businesses opened in the district. The clientele that followed these types of businesses contributed to the overall downturn of the theater district. The streets became unsafe, and many New Yorkers began avoiding this area. Happily, New York City began a revitalization project during the 1990s, which was instrumental in revamping the entire Broadway area and giving it a fresh start.
- Broadway 101
- History of Broadway
- Theater History: Restoration to Present
- Broadway Theater
- Historical Highlights of the Theater District
- History of the Theater District
- Broadway's Real Hits Are its Antique Theaters
- Top 10 New York Theaters
- The Resurrection of 42nd Street
What Is Off-Broadway?
Some theaters located in New York are not technically a part of the Broadway theater district. These professional theater houses have become a part of the "off-Broadway" group. The off-Broadway theater movement began during the 1950s as a reaction against Broadway's commercialism. Off-Broadway theaters are usually smaller than Broadway theaters. Sometimes, a show will start here and then move to Broadway for another run. An additional classification is "off-off-Broadway." These productions typically occur in theater houses that seat fewer than 100 patrons.
Theaters on Broadway
The Broadway theater district currently includes 40 different venues. These theaters operate independently of each other, each providing theatergoers with unique and enjoyable performances. Some of the more notable theaters included in the Broadway theater district are the Gershwin Theatre, the Majestic Theatre, and the Neil Simon Theatre. The Gershwin Theatre was originally the Uris Theatre when it opened in 1972. This theater became the Gershwin Theatre in 1983, and it has a seating capacity of 1,900. Originally, the Neil Simon Theatre was called the Alvin Theatre when it opened in 1927. In 1983, the Alvin was renamed the Neil Simon Theatre after the famous playwright. The smallest Broadway theater is the Helen Hayes Theatre, with a capacity of just less than 600. This theater originally opened in 1912 under the name of the Little Theatre, and it became the Helen Hayes Theatre in 1983.
- Welcome to the Historic Hudson Theatre (PDF)
- Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre Purchased by Second Stage
- History of the Belasco Theater
- History of Circle in the Square Theatre
- Cort Theater History (PDF)
Current Broadway
When you want to attend a Broadway show, it's wise to purchase tickets in advance of the day of the show for best results. You can purchase tickets directly from a theater box office. You can also purchase tickets by phone or online. Most shows suggest buying tickets at least a few weeks in advance, especially if the show is particularly popular or the performance you want to see is on a weekend. It's possible to buy tickets on the day of a Broadway show, though, if there are still some available. Long-running musicals are most likely to have seats available with little notice. The dress code for attending a Broadway show has varied significantly. While traditionally, people wore their finest to the theater, nowadays, theatergoers would be equally comfortable in formal attire or jeans and a casual shirt. But while dress codes have relaxed, basic manners still apply: Always be considerate of others when attending a performance, so that you don't ruin the show for others in the audience.
- A Map of Broadway Theaters (PDF)
- Theater District Map of Times Square
- Sustainable Business Models for New York City's Off- and Off-Off-Broadway Theaters (PDF)
- Guide to Going to the Theater
- Broadway Actors Distracted by Poor Etiquette