The History of Off-Broadway

During the 19th and early 20th century theatre was no longer limited to the main theatre district. Burlesque and Vaudeville venues thrived in the different boroughs creating a so-called "subway-circuit" of legitimate theatres in different neighbourhoods. Every so-often an unknown theatrical piece would begin at one of these local theatres, and launch itself into a full-blown Broadway hit. As a rule though, these neighbourhood theatres only housed the post-Broadway tours of major hits. By the 1910s smaller groups began forming off-Broadway establishments in downtown New York. Their main purposes were to develop and promote new experimental works. Early pioneers included: The Washington Square Players, The Provincetown Players, and the Neighborhood Playhouse. During the 1920's a series of socially demanding dramas opened off-Broadway but it would be sometime before musicals became a normal part of the off-Broadway scene.

Off-Broadway flourished in small downtown theatres (Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side) once musicals became a part of their repertoire in the 1950s. Shows like Little Mary Sunshine, began to prove the commercial and artistic possibilities of off-Broadway theatre. Popular off-Broadway shows include:

• Little Shop of Horrors (1982)
• Nunsense (1985)
• Bring in Da' Noise, Bring in Da' Funk (1996)
• Urinetown (2001)

Broadway History

Broadway has come to symbolize the epitome of theatre and live entertainment worldwide. Walking down Broadway in the year 2004 is much different than back in the earlier eras. Today there is a theatre or stage around every corner, but back in 1810, the theatres were hard to come by. The first theatre built was the Park Theatre at City Hall. It enjoyed full reign over New York until 1821 when the Bowery Theatre was built in the more northern region of Bowery.

Most early theatre productions were of "Victorian" nature as most immigrants to America were coming from Europe at the time. American playwriting exploded on the scene with the introduction of the evil villainous bad guys and dapper do-gooders. More theatres began to spring up and the Park Theatre burned. In 1880 two brothers bought the property and rebuilt. The new Park (renamed Madison Square Theatre) was like no other theatre of its time; it had a mechanical double stage that moved with elevator mechanics. Some thought this technological advancement immoral, but its reputation grew throughout the country and later, the world.

As times began to change, talking pictures began to steal some of Broadway's thunder, but the shows rebounded with burlesque involving flashy dancing and erotic acts. The days of morality were fast fading into the dusk. In 1891 the first flashing marquee went up at Madison Square Theatre. The glitz and glamour had made its way into the shows on Broadway. By the turn of the twentieth century more than 16 theatres called the more than 12 blocks of Broadway home. By the 1900's there were more than 70 plays and musicals being presented and 6 Burlesque houses running their operations as well. By 1910 there were 40 theatres, and the trend continued.

The Depression saw the number of theatres remaining open and functional shrink, as well as the number of plays that were presented. The shows that survived were those that helped to spread a witty and happy outlook on life.

Nowadays if you stroll down Broadway you are liable to find an array of different shows being presented. The selection brings us a flavour of theatre from all the different time periods. We have musicals, horrors, remakes from movies, "puppet shows" (The Lion King, The Muppets), and show tunes. Many of the old theatres have been replaced with newer age, high tech glitzy movie houses such as the Ford Centre, Studio 54 and Gershwin. Whether what you want to see is an upscale 1950s show or a funny, high-energy comedian act, Broadway is the place to go. Drive your New York car rental down the strip and you are sure to find what you want to see!!