What Is Broadway?
Broadway (the street) stretches the length of Manhattan, cutting diagonally across the grid (and continuing another 150 miles until it reaches Albany.) Around the world, “Broadway” means a certain style of theater that is uniquely American – the goal of every theater artist is to “make it to Broadway.”
Today, the theater district centers around Broadway and Times Square. However, it originated in the mid-1800's on Lower Broadway, and only gradually moved uptown, arriving in more or less its present position around the turn of the 20th century. In 1901, advertising designer O.J. Gude called Broadway “The Great White Way,” signifying the glow of lights from the many marquees.
Many Broadway theaters are named for prominent theater people. These landmark theaters are a link to the rich Broadway tradition of excellence which has continued for over 100 years, from the 19th century onward to the 21st century.
Broadway (the street) stretches the length of Manhattan, cutting diagonally across the grid (and continuing another 150 miles until it reaches Albany.) Around the world, “Broadway” means a certain style of theater that is uniquely American – the goal of every theater artist is to “make it to Broadway.”
Today, the theater district centers around Broadway and Times Square. However, it originated in the mid-1800's on Lower Broadway, and only gradually moved uptown, arriving in more or less its present position around the turn of the 20th century. In 1901, advertising designer O.J. Gude called Broadway “The Great White Way,” signifying the glow of lights from the many marquees.
Many Broadway theaters are named for prominent theater people. These landmark theaters are a link to the rich Broadway tradition of excellence which has continued for over 100 years, from the 19th century onward to the 21st century.
