Broadway Theatre – a History Essay Example

it is uncertain whether the building served as a warehouse, a brewery, or perhaps both.

The theater most likely had a stage, benches, and a raised gallery. Murray and Kean made a notable improvement to their New York playhouse by adding boxes on the side walls. This not only increased seating capacity, indicating moderate success, but also provided a special area for the elite. However, the theater was eventually sold, converted into storage space, and ultimately demolished in 1754 to make room for a church.

In 1798, the first world-class theater was constructed in the city (Kenrick, musicals101.com). Known as the "Park Theatre," it boasted a capacity of 2,000 individuals and included a spacious pit filled with benches, four levels of private boxes, and an upper gallery. In his book "Steppin' Out," Lewis A Erenber discusses the Park theatre, stating that it accommodated a wide range of performances under one roof. This meant that audiences during the 1830s could enjoy drama, circus acts, opera, and dance all in the same program. Despite its reputation as an elite establishment, New York's Park Theater had a large enough space to allow the masses to dominate the stage.

Each social class had its designated area in the theatre. Mechanics occupied the pit, while the upper classes and women were seated in the boxes. The balcony was primarily occupied by prostitutes, lower class men, and blacks. The audiences in these sections were often rowdy, yelling, stamping, and engaging in drinking and smoking during the performances (Erenberg, 15). Admission prices for the different parts of the theater were 50 cents for the pit, 25 cents for the gallery, and one dollar for the

boxes (Kenrick, musicals101).

According to (Kenrick, musicals101.com), the rowdy audience at the theatre was often overshadowed by the action on stage. However, it was common for nuts and fruits to be thrown from the balcony. The balcony also served as a place for prostitutes to conduct their business, leading the church to believe that theatres were "foyers of hell". The 'Bowery Theatre' opened in 1826 as one of the subsequent theaters.

Originally targeting the upper class, the theater shifted its focus to the working class under new management. The Broadway League states that it featured a diverse range of popular entertainment over the years, including spectacle, variety shows, melodrama, Italian vaudeville in the 1910s, and Chinese theatre in the 1920s. Unfortunately, the theater suffered multiple fires and had to be rebuilt five times in 1828, 1836, 1838, 1845, and 1923. However, it was ultimately closed permanently after a fire on June 5, 1929.

"(Broadway League, ibdb. com) On the other hand, the 'Astor Place Opera House' was constructed in 1847 by affluent New Yorkers to exclusively introduce Italian opera to the city (Broadway League, ibdb. com). These two theaters are notable for the Astor Place Riot, which occurred during the spring of 1849 when both venues were staging the play Macbeth."

The play was directed by American actor Edwin Forest at the Bowery, targeting the middle and lower classes. On the other hand, British actor William Macready performed at the Astor Place Opera House, attracting the upper class audience. According to one source, the combination of media hype and anti-British sentiment led some of Forrest's fans to intentionally disrupt Macready's performances (Kenrick, musicals101. com).

During the performance of Macbeth at

the Astor Place Opera House on May 10, 1849, a riot erupted with a mob of lower and working class men. The police resorted to firing into the crowd when the violence escalated, resulting in at least twenty-two deaths and over 150 injuries (Kenrick, musicals101.com). Robert W.

According to the Encyclopedia of New York City by Snyder, the Astor Place Riot of 1849 led to a division in entertainment along class lines in New York City. Opera became popular among the upper middle and upper classes, while the middle class favored minstrel shows and melodramas. Variety shows in concert saloons attracted men from the working class and the slumming middle class (Jackson, 1226). Although class conflicts persisted, they were no longer centered around theatrical events. The growing population of New York City saw the emergence of various forms of entertainment. Laura Keene became one of the first actress managers in the American Stage to gain national recognition (Kenrick, Musicals101. com).

Laura Keene was a prominent figure in the theater world during the mid-19th century. She not only produced but also starred in various comedies and musicals at 622 Broadway. In 1857, she achieved a remarkable feat on Broadway with her highly successful production of 'The Elves', which had an impressive run of 50 performances. Continuing her success, in 1860 she astounded audiences once again with 'Seven Sisters', a musical that ran for an astonishing 253 performances. The Civil War, spanning from 1861 to 1865, brought about significant advancements and enhancements in railroads, making touring theatrical productions more accessible and affordable.

During one such tour, Laura Keene's troupe had the opportunity to perform at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC

during the spring of 1865. Unfortunately, tragedy struck on April 14 when President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated while attending a performance of "Our American Cousin".

Despite having no control over Lincoln's assignation, Keene's name became so associated with the tragedy that it forced her into retirement. Broadway's long-run champion, with 657 performances, was Charles Hoyt's "A Trip to Chinatown (1891)" (Kenrick, Musicals101.com). In 1898, "A Trip to Coontown" became the first musical comedy completely produced and performed by African Americans in a Broadway theatre.

"The Passing Show" in 1894 was the first Broadway revue, but it did not receive much attention. It was not until Floren Ziegfeld introduced his Follies in 1907 that revues began to gain popularity. According to Zenrick from musicals101.com, there were hundreds of musical comedies staged on Broadway during the 1890s and early 1900s. However, the runs in New York remained relatively short compared to London runs.

In 1910, smaller off-Broadway theatre groups emerged, establishing themselves in smaller downtown venues. Their aim was to showcase experimental works to a wider audience who might not have the opportunity to visit the city. Among the first groups were "The Washington Square Players (later renamed the Theatre Guild), The Provincetown Players, and The Neighborhood Playhouse" (Zenrick, Musicals101. com). Initially, off-Broadway performances primarily comprised socially challenging dramas (Zenrick, musicals101.

Before musicals became popular in the off-Broadway scene, theater district advertising in the late 1890s was bland because gaslight couldn't be used with colored filters. However, a change came in 1903 when the first animated electric billboard appeared in Times Square for Victor Herbert's musical "The Red Mill". This billboard utilized carbon lights to mimic the rotating arms of a

windmill, which was possible due to the brighter and more efficient electric light. With this innovation, advertising became much simpler and more effective.

Electric signs became popular on Broadway, with white lights being the initial standard due to the short lifespan of colored bulbs. This is why Broadway is known as "The Great White Way," as the largest electric billboards, also known as spectaculars, illuminated the night and actually caused traffic to stop. Neon lighting was introduced in 1927, extending shapes and intensifying colors.

During the 1927-1928 season, Broadway experienced its peak in business with over 250 shows being hosted in more than 70 legitimate theatres. However, the economic downturn of the 1930s, known as the Great Depression, had a significant negative impact on Broadway. Some Broadway productions, including Lee Shubert's, had to declare bankruptcy during this time (source: musicals101.com). Fortunately, the American economy was revitalized by World War II, and the 1940s saw the emergence of remarkable musicals such as "Oklahoma". Additionally, Off-Broadway theatre thrived in smaller venues located in downtown areas like Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side. These theatres had been fostering experimental theatre since the 1920s.

According to musicals101.com, off-Broadway shows like "The Fantasticks" (1960), "Godspell" (1971), "Little Shop of Horrors" (1982), and "Nunsense" (1985) achieved success in the 1960s. This era also marked the introduction of the Theatre Wing's Tony Award, considered theatre's most prestigious prize according to tonyawards.com. In the 1980s, Broadway was dominated by imported productions such as Cats and Les Miserables, which were known as "Mega-Musicals". The rise of major corporations like Disney occurred in the 1990s, bringing Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King to Broadway.

According to

Zenrick from musicals101.com, the rise in visitors resulting from these successes showed the profitable business opportunities in Times Square. Consequently, many contemporary hotels were built and various companies like MTV and ABC established themselves in the vicinity.

Times Square underwent a significant transformation by the late 1990s, as described in "New York, An Illustrated History". The area became cleaner, better lit, and more wholesome than it had been in fifty years. Additionally, it experienced a surge in activity and profitability that hadn't been seen for decades (Burns, Sanders, & Ades, 554). However, this progress came with drawbacks. The advancement of theater productions and rising production costs led to an increase in ticket prices. For instance, orchestra seats went from $8 in 1965 to $45 in 1985. By 2001, they had reached an astonishing $100 - a much steeper rise compared to the overall cost of living (Zenrick,musicals101).

According to newsobserver.com, the popular play "Wicked" has been running on Broadway for an impressive seven years and has earned nearly $1 billion dollars. Additionally, approximately 23 million people worldwide have been attracted to this acclaimed production (Wicked Facts).

"The Phantom of the Opera" is an immensely popular Broadway play, with 7 Tony Awards and over 10 million viewers. It has been running on Broadway for more than 17 years, making it the most successful production in Broadway history. As a result, New York's theatre district continues to be a major tourist attraction, significantly contributing to the city's financial prosperity. According to the League of Theatre Owners and Producers, Broadway shows currently generate $1.5 billion in annual ticket sales revenue (Zenrick, musicals101).

com). Broadway Theater, an incredible staple in live entertainment, is

truly a sight to behold.

Works Cited

1. Kenrick, John. "Theatre in New York: A Brief History." Musicals101.com - The Cyber Encyclopedia of Musicals. N.p., n.

d. Web. 14 June 2010. http://www.musicals101.

The provided text includes a hyperlink to the website "https://www.bwaytheatremusical.com/bwaythhist1.htm" and two list items. The first list item is from the book "Theater in America: 200 Years of Plays, Players, and Productions" by Mary C. Henderson, published in 1991. The second list item mentions that this information is available in print format.

Erenberg, Lewis A.. Steppin' Out: New York Nightlife and the Transformation of American Culture. Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 1984.

N.p., n.d. Web.

14 June 2010.

(Edited). The Encyclopedia of New York City. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1955.

Exp Sub ed. New York: Knopf, 2003.

Greiner, Julie. "A Brief Early History of Broadway Plays." A Brief Early History of Broadway Plays. N.

p. , n. d. Web. 14 June 2010.

<http://broadway-plays.visit-new 'Wicked' facts -.

The text includes a hyperlink to "http://broadway-plays.visit-new" with the title "Wicked facts". It is followed by an unordered list item that mentions various topics such as news, sports, business, and politics in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. This information is sourced from The News Observer website.The information was accessed on an unknown date and the web page was last published on June 14, 2010.The

website newsobserver.com provides the latest news updates. Additionally,