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Broadway Began
Broadway began in 1750 when two men named Thomas Kean and Walter Murray opened up a theatre company on Nassau Street. The theatre could hold about 280 people, and the company usually performed ballad operas and Shakespearean plays. At this time, the most popular ballad opera was called The Beggar’s Opera by John Gay. (Exact date unknown) -
American Revolution
Theatre was interrupted during the time of the American Revolution, but later continued in 1798. (Exact date unknown) -
The Park Theatre
The Bowery Theatre was created in 1826. Many more theatres were created and the industry began to grow. (Exact date unknown) -
Shakespeare Plays Became Popular
Shakespeare was extremely popular in the 19th century, and many of his plays were performed on Broadway. Edwin Booth, Charles Fechter, Fanny Davenport, Tommaso Salvini and Henry Irving were well known for their spectacular Shakespearean portrayals. (Exact date unknown) -
The Black Crook
“The Black Crook” was another famous musical, which came to Broadway in 1866. This show had a five and a half hour performance and it continued for 474 performances. (Exact Date Unknown) -
British Blondes
In 1868, Lydia Thomas and her theatre troupe, known as the “British Blondes,” arrived in New York City and became a popular group. -
Actors Equity Association
In the year of 1919, required contracts were used for the professional shows. It became necessary for actors to have contracts because of the Actors Equity Association. (Exact Date Unknown) -
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Anything Goes, As Thousands Cheer
In the 1930’s, Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” became a huge success. In 1933, a show called “As Thousands Cheer,” opened. This show was the first musical to have an African American actor, and her name was Ethel Waters. -
The Golden Age and WWII
The 1940’s were known as the “Golden Age” for Broadway. A well-known show, “Oklahoma,” ran for 2,212 performances. At this time, there also were a few musicals that discussed World War II and Nazism. One musical known for this topic was called “Watch on the Rhine,” which opened in 1941. (Exact Date Unknown) -
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More Broadway Shows
The shows from the 1950’s-1970’s are still basically the same type of musicals we have today. A few of the Broadway shows that were created at this time include “Guys and Dolls,” “Peter Pan,” “My Fair Lady,” and “The Music Man.” A popular musical, created in 1957, was called “West Side Story,” and this took a modern spin on Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet.” It was composed by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. -
What Broadway Today Looks Like
Today, Broadway is bigger and more popular than ever.
