New York City, one of the most diverse cities on Earth, possesses a unique and wide variety of culture and tradition. Museums of art, ethnicities, and history emphasize how New York is home to many of the people, languages, and talents that are familiar in the world today. However, to many New Yorkers and tourists from around the globe, Broadway performances are opportunities to experience the magic of acting, singing, and dancing that has been a custom in this city for many years.

During the beginning of the nineteenth century, Broadway, nicknamed “The Great White Way”, started to transform. Broadway performances engaged the audience as part of the script and scenes unlike the expert shows most people have seen today. The traditions of the theatre were unusual in earlier times but the spirit of Broadway was similar to today. The crowd was able to incorporate their opinions and feelings into what was happening on stage. A normal Broadway performance involved random applause and talking to the actors while they were on stage.  The ease, simplicity, and cost of Broadway attracted many people who were not considered wealthy. The average value for the best seats in the house was roughly two dollars. The average annual number of productions reached 264 in 1928 providing evidence that the energy and freshness of these performances was enough to attract an interested crowd. For all these reasons, this time period for Broadway is called “The Era of Good Feelings.”

Although the stock-market crash of 1929 greatly affected America and its economy, the Broadway theatres particularly suffered as the curtains closed on “The Era of Good Feelings” and The Great Depression was beginning its opening act into American history. Because of the loss in business, many people found themselves out of work with no extra money to spend on leisure activities. Approximately eighty percent of the performers were fired and consequently the number of shows plunged drastically.  

Broadway was thought to be unoriginal after the Great Depression and during the 1940’s. Its competition rose as the new invention of television and movies became a popular form of recreation. Some theatres were shut down and turned into bars or slums. Broadway was no longer dominant in the entertainment business. This trend continued until the 1970’s. In 1969, only thirty six theatres were active as opposed to the eighty that existed during “The Roaring Twenties”. Although this wasn’t Broadway’s most successful year, many of the performances are still remembered as masterpieces in the world of theatre. Some examples include West Side Story, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady, and Hair.     

Broadway today consists of approximately 37 theatres, less than half the amount in the early 1900’s. The Broadway Theatre, one of the most well-known playhouses, is located in the theatre district on the southwest corner of Broadway and 53rd Street. The construction of this theatre began on December 25th in 1924 as a movie palace but in 1930 it was used for theatrical purposes. It is known as the most highly rated performance theatre in the United States.

Today, Broadway plays a significant role in entertainment in the “Heart of New York. It has held its name in history as a place to escape the real world. Broadway productions have captured the attention of audiences and have presented them with this unique form of entertainment. Even through difficult economic times, Broadway has managed to hold its appeal to the public.