Theatre as an art form is a reflection of society. It is an elite art form that presents human life, its feelings, and experiences in their raw form. Theatre is an expression of the ever-evolving human consciousness and its functioning of life. To witness the theatre is to witness human life. Some of the biggest and best theatre performances of the world happen at the Broadway theatre in New York. It is the go-to destination for theatre lovers from all across the world. It is loved and admired by millions.
What is Broadway?
Broadway Theatre, or simply Broadway, refers to the theatrical performances presented at the 41 professional theatres located in the Theatre District and Lincoln Centre along Broadway, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA. It represents the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking world.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, the popularity of theatrical performances increased in New York which led to a steep rise in the number of audiences, hence, paving a way for commercial theatre in the USA. These plays had a musical appeal and good Broadway theatre reviews. Soon, it became a cultural phenomenon in the US and witnessed many memorable performances by theatre wizards. So much was the popularity of Broadway that the ticket sale didn’t go down even during the world war.
Popularity of Broadway Theatre
Broadway has always been popular. It is the most famous entertainment destination in the USA. The 2018-19 season that ended in May 2019 saw a total of 14,768,254 turning up to watch Broadway plays, resulting in a whopping turnover of US$ 1,829,312,140. The shows run for years till they are popular and profitable. It is a major tourist attraction pulling millions of people from around the world every year.
Attending a Broadway play
If you are planning to watch a Broadway production you must keep certain things in mind. Check for the list of plays being staged at the theatre online. Look at Broadway play reviews and decide the play you want to watch. Buy the tickets beforehand as there is a huge rush for Broadway plays. Most plays start around 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the evening. Make sure you arrive thirty minutes before the play begins. Merchandise is also available for different plays. You can buy the merchandise as a memory of the play.
Clearly, the Broadway is never out of fashion. It was, it is, and it will always be the one-stop destination for theatre lovers.