In an era when impressive IMAX films and realistic 3D movies are quite the norm, Broadway theatre entertainment remains one of the most popular attractions and a must-see in New York City.
Broadway refers to the strip of road in Manhattan that has become the leader in stage entertainment around the world. Broadway history dates back to the 1700s when the first NYC stage was built on Nassau Street by actor-managers Walter Murray and Thomas Kean. Theatre on Nassau Street mostly presented Shakespeare plays and ballad operas and can seat about 280 people.
In 1798, after the American Revolution, the first great NYC theater was built called Park Theatre, a 2,000-seat theatre on the street now known as Park Row. Several more NYC theaters opened up between 1800 to 1850. The next mega theatre built was Bowery Theatre founded by rich families to compete with Park Theatre. However, after being gutted by fire several times, a fire in 1929 destroyed it for good.
In 1834, Niblo’s Garden opened which at first only served coffee, ice cream, lemonade, and other refreshments In 1835, Niblo hosted the first-ever exhibition of P.T. Barnum, an American politician, businessman, and showman widely remembered for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus. 1844, Palmo’s Opera House opened in New York City and was then rebranded to Burton’s Theater in 1848 when it waIn an era when impressive IMAX films and realistic 3D movies are quite the norm, Broadway theatre entertainment remains one of the most popular attractions and a must-see in New York City.
Broadway refers to the strip of road in Manhattan that has become the leader in stage entertainment around the world. Broadway history dates back to the 1700s when the first NYC stage was built on Nassau Street by actor-managers Walter Murray and Thomas Kean. Theatre on Nassau Street mostly presented Shakespeare plays and ballad operas and can seat about 280 people.
In 1798, after the American Revolution, the first great NYC theater was built called Park Theatre, a 2,000-seat theatre on the street now known as Park Row. Several more NYC theaters opened up between 1800 to 1850. The next mega theatre built was Bowery Theatre founded by rich families to compete with Park Theatre. However, after being gutted by fire several times, a fire in 1929 destroyed it for good.
In 1834, Niblo’s Garden opened which at first only served coffee, ice cream, lemonade, and other refreshments In 1835, Niblo hosted the first-ever exhibition of P.T. Barnum, an American politician, businessman, and showman widely remembered for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus. 1844, Palmo’s Opera House opened in New York City and was then rebranded to Burton’s Theater in 1848 when it was forced to closed down due to financial loss.
A deadly riot between supporters of actors Edwin Forrest, an American actor, and William Charles Macready, an English actor happened on May 10, 1849. Called the Astor Place Riot as it happened at the now-demolished Astor Opera House, the riot’s main root was a dispute on who was better at playing Shakespeare between Forrest and Macready. It was also seen as a riot between the lower-class patrons of Bowery Theater and upper-class audiences at Astor Place
The area that now comprises the Theater District was earlier covered of farms. At the beginning of the 19th century, theaters in downtown moved to midtown for its less expensive real estate. The Theater District area of Broadway, which encompasses 42nd St to 53rd St in Midtown, earned its nickname “The Great White Way” due to bright electric signs made up of white lights to advertise shows in the area. Soon, colored bulbs that burned out too quickly were replaced with bright lights of Broadway NYC. It was also around this time that Times Square New York has seen an increase in Broadway theaters in the area.s forced to closed down due to financial loss.
A deadly riot between supporters of actors Edwin Forrest, an American actor, and William Charles Macready, an English actor happened on May 10, 1849. Called the Astor Place Riot as it happened at the now-demolished Astor Opera House, the riot’s main root was a dispute on who was better at playing Shakespeare between Forrest and Macready. It was also seen as a riot between the lower-class patrons of Bowery Theater and upper-class audiences at Astor Place
The area that now comprises the Theater District was earlier covered of farms. At the beginning of the 19th century, theaters in downtown moved to midtown for its less expensive real estate. The Theater District area of Broadway, which encompasses 42nd St to 53rd St in Midtown, earned its nickname “The Great White Way” due to bright electric signs made up of white lights to advertise shows in the area. Soon, colored bulbs that burned out too quickly were replaced with bright lights of Broadway NYC. It was also around this time that Times Square New York has seen an increase in Broadway theaters in the area.