About Broadway Shows

Broadway shows are full of excitement, song, dance, and a theme that attracts patrons to buy a ticket to come see the show. Broadway shows exclusively represent the famed theater district of New York City. There are over thirty nine professional theaters extending from the theater district in New York all the way to Manhattan. Broadway shows should not be confused with theater shows and stage shows, which are similar except for the fact they are located in other prevalent theater locations such as Toronto, London, or Chicago.

History

The first Broadway Show was introduced around 1750 in New York City. Shakespearean plays as well as operas first took the stage left guests with a yearning for more traditional music as well as diverse entertainment. In the 1840's, P.T. Barnum opened up a theater that hosted entertainment shows as well as circus acts and gave the famed Broadway street its name that has gone down in history as being one of the most historically recognized streets in the world. Opera, Ragtime shows, and then dramatic plays intertwined with classic musicals stole the stage and boosted Broadway shows into a popular event sought after by the world's elite. In the beginning, Broadway shows were off limits to the average folk, due to the expense and class of people who attended the shows. Over the years, Broadway shows have evolved into television movies and stage shows that are shown throughout small town America - giving everyone the chance to see a real stage show similar to those on Broadway.

Significance

The significance of a Broadway show is to attain the look, feel, sounds, and excitement of being a part of a live theater. Actors and actresses have definitive props and costumes that sparkle in the stage light and move swiftly with dance moves and choreography. There are live intermissions which allow the stage hands to switch around props and allow actors to change clothes to prepare for the next scene. Everything is performed live so there is no room for errors or mistakes. Most Broadway theaters house their own shows exclusively one at a time.

Types

There are different types of Broadway shows, including ones that are based on popular musicals. With these shows, the entire show is set in song with the characters singing their lines rather than acting them. There are shows that are part musical and part acting such as the Lion King and the Sound of Music, where actors act and also sing during portions of the show. Many Broadway shows have world renowned actors and actresses as well as exclusive stage cast members that only perform at certain theaters with the cast. Adult comedies sometimes have a soundtrack that is not sung, rather, the orchestra will perform the background music for the show. There are also off Broadway shows that are not as mainstream and well-funded; they could be spin-offs of Broadway shows and have actors who are lesser known.

Time Frame

Most Broadway shows only run for a certain period of time and may not return for several months or years or may just be a one or two night performance; in these cases, most tickets sell quickly. Some Broadway shows interchange throughout the seasons while others perform the same show every night. A typical Broadway show may have up to three performances a day while others only perform once a week.

Features

Broadway shows typically build up the audience and potential patrons by adding lights and flashing marquees to attract people to come see the show. The Radio City Rockettes put on a colorful and active Broadway show throughout the year but are best known for their Christmas Spectacular that runs November through December and involves a colorful costumed stage show full of dance moves and holiday themed entertainment. Sound effects, minimal pyrotechnics, and props and screens are what set Broadway shows apart from shows at amusement parks and other theaters where they display 3D and high definition acts.

Resources

• Broadway show information