Weeks of preparation. Countless days dedicated to memorization of the moves and ques, all the lines and emotion, and all the songs with correct pitches. Months of practice, for that first performance. The pit begins to play. The lights come up. Standing on the stage, you look out and you think about all the time you put into being where you are today. How many rejections you got from numerous auditions. Finally, you made it. You are standing on the stage, on Broadway street, and you think to yourself, “I made it.” In that moment you realize you’re on stage and this night will make or break you, so you find your character, block out everything, and perform. This is Broadway.

When you think of Broadway, we tend to think of musicals and bright lights. Broadway is actually the name of the street that the 41 major theatres is on. These theatres tend to be huge, and put on big, well known productions. There is also a term off-Broadway which refers to smaller theaters, are less expensive shows, and probably not as well known.

In 1904 a section of land (Long Acre Square) is renamed Times Square (New York Times built an office on 42^nd and Broadway) and a subway station opens up there. This is also the year that George M. Cohan makes his Broadway debut as composer and star of a few different shows. Over the next couple decades, we see this theatre district begin to grow. Shows come from around the world, and composers start popping out show after show.

 In 1934 the Depression hits New York. However, the magic of Broadway distracted people from the everyday life. Throughout this time, we see some of the greats like Rodgers, Gershwin, and Cole Porter. Shows like “Anything Goes” and “On Your toes”, which are big productions with lots of dancing (swing and show style). They are some of the classic shows that most people in the theatre world know.

In 1948 the first Tony Awards is held. The Tonys are awards given to members of the theater community. Named after actress, producer, and director, Antoinette Perry, it is one of the highest awards of any actor or actress. They are kind of similar to the Oscar awards, only they are for theatre.

 During the 60s and 70s we begin to see a lot of controversial topics being portrayed through theatre. You have productions like Hair that deals with the birth of the rock and roll age, as well as having times of nudity. Company also comes out which shines light on the marriage and fidelity. This was also the age that brought us out of the “Golden Age”, or classical age of theater.

At the turn of the century we see a blow up of Broadway. As technology advances and creative minds have more accesses we see Broadway becomes an international sensation, that translates the economic challenges into entertaining productions. Shows come to light such as “Les Misérables” in 1987, the adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel. This is a major phenomenon that is still running today. The Producers in 2001 by Mel Brooks. This is a musical about the making of a musical and the power of Broadway. In 2015 the hit sensation Hamilton debuted, selling out shows for years in advance, and bringing a new idea of history to light.

Broadway has been so influential to so many people. It has shed light on social issues, things people are too afraid to talk about, and turning it into an amusing production. The musicals have been a way for people to escape the real world, not just the audience but the cast as well. People have learned and experienced so many new things in just the 2 hours of the show. They transport the audience to a new world and inspire people to be better, in an entertaining way.