Theatre has been around since the beginning of human time. From the Ancient Greeks, to the Middle Ages, to the Colonial Times. But, modern theatre that we know, love, and appreciate today is not what it used to be. Theatre in itself has transformed through the ages, but never more so than the way New York City theatre has. Broadway is one of the most beloved attractions in New York City. Tourists from abroad, out of state, and New York alike travel into the heart of New York City to enjoy this historic past time. Broadway productions not only entertain audiences, but provide insight into American Culture and its progressions.
The area that we know to be Broadway was originally sheep pasture before mid-Manhattan was developed. The reason theatres were located on Broadway is because the street is wider than others in the city. In 1891, the first electrical marquis was lit on a Broadway theatre. By 1900, 16 theatres were lit. This was the birth of Broadway. In the early 1900’s, playwrights and producers competed to produce their own shows and open their own theatres. This is when we saw the first boom of theatres and productions on Broadway. By 1910, there were 40 theatres in the district. (Hannah) In 1904, Long Acre Square was renamed Times Square and the Times Square building completed construction. (Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, 2014) The fact that Broadway is located in Times Square is no coincidence. At this time, America is at the height of the Industrial Age. New York City is a central spot for trade due to easy accessibility via railroads and canals. By the late 19th century, 57% of all imported goods brought to the United States are passed through New York City. (Hannah)This made New York City a prime location for the manufacturing of raw materials, publishing, and luxury goods. (Hannah)
Early New York City theatre was much different from what it is today. Originally, shows were produced to provide light entertainment for audiences to allow them a few hours to escape the burdens of everyday life. It did not reflect society, culture, or politics and they were not seen as works of art. (Hannah) In fact, theatre was such an ordinary past time, that lower class people were able to see Broadway shows. The best, most expensive seats maxed a price of $1.50-$2.00. (Hannah) This gives us wonderful insight into American Culture and its economic state. If lower class people were able to afford ordinary luxuries such as seeing a show, this indicates that at this time, America was flourishing and times were good and happy. People were earning a steady income and spending money.
In 1917, America entered WWI. The Broadway community kicked into action and became fully involved in the war effort. Broadway Stars sold Liberty Bonds and food drives were established. Actresses who were working for George Cohan dressed in overalls and learned to drive trucks to relieve the men who were drafted for the war. (Rusie, 2014) Even though this wasn’t an onstage controversy, it was immensely controversial for those times. Women did not wear pants. Only men wore pants. They didn’t drive cars, much less trucks. Driving trucks was considered something that was too complicated for women to do, and thus, only men drove trucks. At the Century Theatre, a production called Yip,Yip,Yaphank by Irving Berlin was used to raise money for the war relief. (Hannah) This is significant for a few reasons. First, it demonstrates how important the efforts of the War Relief were to America. Second, the show itself was a comedy that transformed the boredom of army life into humor. This is one of the first examples of how Broadway Theatre reflected the reality of what was occurring in everyday life. Not only was this approach new, but was well received by all audiences alike.
The Roaring twenties was a time of dramatic social and political changes. Women won the right to vote in 1920. Women also changed their partying wardrobe with the Flapper style. They also did things that were considered “unladylike.” They drank, smoked cigarettes, and swearing became a social norm. Politically, the “Red Scare” and the constrictive Immigration Laws were occurring at this time. The Roaring Twenties is considered A Renaissance Period for Broadway. It was really a battle between traditional values and new modern ideas. 70-80 new theatres opened and the number of productions more than doubled. (Hannah)
In 1920, Eugene O’Neill produced a show called The Emperor Jones. (Hannah) It was the first time a black person was cast for a black role. Previously, black roles were played by white people with painted black faces. The role was played by an actor by the name of Charles Gilpin. (Hannah) At this time, white shows and black shows were segregated, and desegregation was unheard of. Despite racial tensions, the actor and the show received excellent reviews. Even critics who were known to be racist gave good reviews to the show. This show is significant because of the social issues it addressed, such as interracial relationships, prostitution, and racial tensions. The fact that it addressed interracial relationships is important because it was illegal for people of different races and ethnicities to have relationships or marry. Prostitution wasn’t anything new, but it was never spoken of or addressed in public. Over the next few years, many productions portraying black issues were produced, including Shuffle Along, In Abraham’s Bosom, and Lulu Belle. (Hannah) In 1927, Showboat made its debut. (Cozby, 2014) This show was huge. Not only was it the first recognized musical, but was intensely controversial because it portrayed interracial marriage, confronted racism, and demonstrated the second class status of black people. (Cozby, 2014)
Just like today, fashion cues were taken from celebrities. Since television and movies were not yet mainstreamed, Broadway stars really were the focal point for the fashion industry. Actresses and their gowns were used to advertise new feminine styles and influence female consumer spending. (Charnow, 2011) Fashion became so important that theatres and producers built relationships and signed contracts with advertising agencies, fashion designers, department stores, consumer goods manufacturers, newspapers, and magazines. (Charnow, 2011) Fashion designers and department stores wanted their clothing to be worn on stage, and producers wanted to have the best clothes for their shows. It was a win-win. So, in a sense, Broadway was the initial red carpet.
In 1929, the Stock Market crashed and the black cloud of the Great Depression set in. More than half of America lost their jobs, went homeless, and had very little food. People not only had no income, but they didn’t spend any money on luxurious things or activities of amusement. This included Broadway shows. As many as 25,000 theatre employees became unemployed. Many theatres were not able to make a profit and many of them closed. The few remaining theatres lowered the price of admission to as low as 25 cents per ticket. (Hannah) Even though this was a very difficult time, this was also one of the most creative periods in Broadway. Many new shows and dramas portrayed the “working class American.” (Hannah) Other Playwrights took this opportunity to voice their disdain for the government and how useless they were in helping their fellow Americans. Theatre became a place where playwrights, directors, and producers made social commentary.
In 1935, the Theatre Works Project was initiated and approved by President Roosevelt. (Rusie, 2014) The goal of this project was to boost America’s economic health. The Project launched an experiment known as “Living Newspapers.” (Rusie, 2014) These productions were dramatizations of significant issues that were occurring at that time, such as labor unions, STD’s, public utilities, black civil rights, women’s civil rights, and homosexuality. (Rusie, 2014) They were educational and entertaining. The initial grant for the project awarded Broadway $6 million. In the four year run of the experiment, it generated $46 million, financed 1200 productions, and employed 12,000 people. (Rusie, 2014) I think they should have run this project much longer. Even though a majority of the productions were socially progressive, it was extremely successful. Not only did they meet their intended goal, but they made a huge profit, employed a large amount of people, and educated the public on important issues.
Even though many Americans did not like any government institutions or support any of the decisions that the government made, Americans rallied when WWII started in 1939. A sense of community and Patriotism spread over a majority of Americans. Many of the plays that came out in the 1940’s portrayed events happening on the battlefield or at the home front. In 1940, Robert Sherwood produced There Shall Be No Night. (Rusie, 2014) This was a play about the Russian Invasion of Finland. Lillian Hellman produced Watch on the Rhine. (Rusie, 2014) Margin for Error by Claire Booth Luce was about a Jewish Police Officer guarding the Nazi Consul. (Rusie, 2014) This is important because the production faced Anti-Semitism head on. In 1941, America entered WWII. There was a lot of emotion and hatred for several groups of people, including Germans, Nazi’s, Jews, and Japanese. Tomorrow The World by James Gow and Arnaud d’Usseau was about a young boy whose father was killed by Nazi’s. (Rusie, 2014) This production was Anti-Nazi and stirred a lot of emotions for many people. For non-German Americans, they felt hatred for what the Nazi’s were doing and what they stood for. For German-Americans, it was a hard place to be. On the one hand, they wanted to be loyal to their homeland, but they feared discrimination from the general public. On the other hand, they wanted to be true Americans and fit in with the general crowd. Sidney Kingsley’s The Patriots portrayed the ideals of our founding fathers, Washington, Jefferson, and Hamilton. (Rusie, 2014) This is important to look at because Communism, Fascism, and Socialism were seen as real threats to American Democracy. The Producers wanted to not only remind the public on the foundations that America was built on, but build a sense of Patriotism and Loyalty to America. Towards the end of the war, a play came out that often gets overlooked, but I think deserves some attention. The play is called Jeb and it was written by Ossie Davis. The play is about the hardships that black men had to face and the adjustments they had to make after returning home from the war. This also, is a very difficult position to be in. At war, they are decorated heroes, but when they return home, they are again second class citizens with no civil liberties and had no appreciation for their service.
The late 1940’s was Arthur Miller’s time to shine. All My Sons came out in 1947 and Death of a Salesman came out in 1949. (Iannone, 2003) I have personally read these two plays. The plays are about arrogant men who are materialistic and have poor values. They originally believe themselves to be successful and productive members of society, but their rocky foundations fail them and they are devastated when they learn how unsuccessful they really turned out to be. When Arthur Miller heard that Audiences left his shows in tears, he was outraged. (Iannone, 2003) His intention wasn’t to stir emotions, but to raise awareness about political and societal corruption that was overtaking our country. He wanted people to introspect and look at what was going on around them. He believed the world was “cruel” and “destructive” and he wanted to reform the values that society held.
The 1950’s was an interesting time for America. Political Persecution, McCarthyism, created chaos within America from ordinary citizens, to celebrities, to scientists, and all the way to Political figures. America was overseas in the Vietnam and Korean Wars, and The Black Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. Also at this time, a new wave of immigrants was moving into the city; Latinos. In 1957, West Side Story by Jerome Robbins quickly became one of America’s most beloved musicals. (Hannah) The underlying storyline is another version of Romeo and Juliette, but this love story was between a White and Puerto Rican couple in New York City. This musical provides us wonderful insight into this timeframe in history. First, it demonstrated the issues that were really happening in the city. Clashes and turf wars between Whites and Hispanics arose when many Hispanic immigrants moved into the cities. It also demonstrates the feelings that Whites held towards Hispanics and vice versa. They couldn’t dislike each other more. Differences in culture, language, traditions, and values certainly didn’t help. In 1958, Raisin in the Sun by Philip Rose definitely stirred racial tensions. (Bernstein, 2005) Not only was it the first black drama to open on Broadway, but the director, Lloyd Richards was the first black director. (Bernstein, 2005) This show came out at the height of the Black Civil Rights Movement. It did not receive good reviews in its initial run, most likely due to the racial controversies happening at this time, but eventually, it became a classic Broadway show. The 50’s was a dangerous time to be liberal because of the Political Persecution, but Broadway refused to conform and maintained their theatrical freedoms and views.
The 1960’s became a time when Broadway engaged in ‘Experimental Theatre.’ (Marwick, 1994) This was directly reflective of America during this time. Most notably, the Sexual Revolution swarmed through America like an epidemic. Women wanted the same freedoms that men had at home and at work. Gays started voicing their desires for sexual freedom as well. People participated in all different kinds of sex and promoted free love. Experimental Theatre offered women the opportunity to fill leadership roles in the theatre world. For the first time, women were able to become writers, directors, musicians, and lead actors. (Marwick, 1994) They were treated and respected equal to their male counterparts. In this environment, many women who were not in leadership positions became more aware of the gender biases that they encountered in everyday life outside of theatre. They were not only allowed to protest against gender inequalities, but were encouraged to do so.
In 1996, Rent by Jonathan Larson debut on Broadway for the first time. (Klein, 2007) The storyline was considered controversial when it first came out, but the show was highly praised. The show brings up many of the issues that we still face today. They include homelessness of adolescents, AIDS, drugs, teenage sex, sexuality, and the hardships of urban living. If this show doesn’t represent the issues we, as society, face today, I don’t know what does. It hit every modern social issue head on. As sad as these themes are, these are real problems and difficulties that our teenagers face every day. Yes, we still see the homeless old guy who’s asking for change, so he can buy alcohol. But, our homeless population gets younger and younger every year. Adolescents notoriously make bad decisions when it comes to drugs and sex because of lack of education and/or a rough home life. Finally, many teenagers are bullied or thrown out of their house for being gay. I saw this show in the city a few years ago. Not only was I blown away by an amazing performance, but the actors took a few minutes after the show to educate the audience on the importance of these issues.
Broadway is truly one of a kind. There is no other place on earth like it and it couldn’t be recreated if you tried. Broadway runs between 41st and 53rd Street and between 6th and 9th Avenue. (Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, 2014) Currently there are 40 theatres in Times Square and only 4 theatres actually located on Broadway. (Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, 2014) Original Broadway Theatre did not reflect American Culture, but has transformed into a media in which producers can reflect on social realities and encourage social and political progression. Broadway has made many immeasurable contributions to America and NY, including social, political, and economical. They have sponsored, supported, and held charitable events, drives, and fundraisers. Currently, Broadway generates $11.2 billion each year and supports 86,000 jobs. (Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, 2014) Out of that $11.2 billion, $8.95 billion come from non-NY tourists. (Healy, 2012) It also generates $550 million in taxes to NYC each year. (Healy, 2012) In 1988, most Broadway Theatres were designated historic sites by NY Landmarks Preservation. (Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, 2014) Broadway Theatre as a whole is filled with rich history, culture, and tradition. My first Broadway show was Annie. I was 8 years old and my Nana and Grandpa took me to see it. I remember feeling so special and it’s a memory that I will always treasure.
Works Cited
Bernstein, A. (2005). Philip Rose: A Broadway Journey Against Racism. Afro-Americans In New York Life and History, 29, 31+. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA128705134&v=2.1&u=nysl_li_molloy&it=r&p=PPUS&sw=w&asid=c0780a6ea209a45d85402ba4ab9d7541
Billeaux, S. (2007, October 25). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from Theatre in the 1920's: www.finearts360.com/index.php/theatre-in-the-1920s-6062
Charnow, S. (2011). When Broadway Was The Runway: Theatre, Fashion, and American Culture (review). Canadian Theatre Review, 146(Spring 2011), 99-101. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from When Boradway Was The Runway:Theatre, Fashion, and American Culture (review): https//muse.jhu.edu/journals/canadian_theatre_review/summary/v146/146.charnow.html
Cozby, P. (2014). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from 10 Musicals That Changed Broadway: theatre.about.com/od/behindthescenes/tp/10musicalschanged.htm
Hannah, A. (n.d.). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from Broadway: www.mapsites.net/gotham01/webpages/alisonhannah/
Healy, P. (2012, June 6). Broadway Gives Regards ($11.2 Billion) to City. New York Times, 161(55), 3. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=76346688&site=ehost-live
Iannone, C. (2003). In Arthur Miller's America. Commentary, 116, 50+. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA111012897&v=2.1&u=nysl_li_molloy&it=r&p=PPDS&sw=w&asid=0ed2e1428f2c6e012831401b57f6a704
Klein, J. M. (2007, June 1). An Awakening for Broadway? Chronicle of Higher Education, 53(39), B13-B15. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=25426959&site=ehost-live
Marwick, A. (1994, October). Experimental Theatre in the 1960's. History Today, 44(10), 34. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9501035738&site=ehost-live
Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting. (2014). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from History of Theatre in New York City: www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/theatre/theatre_history.shtml
Rusie, R. (2014). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from Talkin' Broadway: https://www.talkinbroadway.com/bway101/about.html
The area that we know to be Broadway was originally sheep pasture before mid-Manhattan was developed. The reason theatres were located on Broadway is because the street is wider than others in the city. In 1891, the first electrical marquis was lit on a Broadway theatre. By 1900, 16 theatres were lit. This was the birth of Broadway. In the early 1900’s, playwrights and producers competed to produce their own shows and open their own theatres. This is when we saw the first boom of theatres and productions on Broadway. By 1910, there were 40 theatres in the district. (Hannah) In 1904, Long Acre Square was renamed Times Square and the Times Square building completed construction. (Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, 2014) The fact that Broadway is located in Times Square is no coincidence. At this time, America is at the height of the Industrial Age. New York City is a central spot for trade due to easy accessibility via railroads and canals. By the late 19th century, 57% of all imported goods brought to the United States are passed through New York City. (Hannah)This made New York City a prime location for the manufacturing of raw materials, publishing, and luxury goods. (Hannah)
Early New York City theatre was much different from what it is today. Originally, shows were produced to provide light entertainment for audiences to allow them a few hours to escape the burdens of everyday life. It did not reflect society, culture, or politics and they were not seen as works of art. (Hannah) In fact, theatre was such an ordinary past time, that lower class people were able to see Broadway shows. The best, most expensive seats maxed a price of $1.50-$2.00. (Hannah) This gives us wonderful insight into American Culture and its economic state. If lower class people were able to afford ordinary luxuries such as seeing a show, this indicates that at this time, America was flourishing and times were good and happy. People were earning a steady income and spending money.
In 1917, America entered WWI. The Broadway community kicked into action and became fully involved in the war effort. Broadway Stars sold Liberty Bonds and food drives were established. Actresses who were working for George Cohan dressed in overalls and learned to drive trucks to relieve the men who were drafted for the war. (Rusie, 2014) Even though this wasn’t an onstage controversy, it was immensely controversial for those times. Women did not wear pants. Only men wore pants. They didn’t drive cars, much less trucks. Driving trucks was considered something that was too complicated for women to do, and thus, only men drove trucks. At the Century Theatre, a production called Yip,Yip,Yaphank by Irving Berlin was used to raise money for the war relief. (Hannah) This is significant for a few reasons. First, it demonstrates how important the efforts of the War Relief were to America. Second, the show itself was a comedy that transformed the boredom of army life into humor. This is one of the first examples of how Broadway Theatre reflected the reality of what was occurring in everyday life. Not only was this approach new, but was well received by all audiences alike.
The Roaring twenties was a time of dramatic social and political changes. Women won the right to vote in 1920. Women also changed their partying wardrobe with the Flapper style. They also did things that were considered “unladylike.” They drank, smoked cigarettes, and swearing became a social norm. Politically, the “Red Scare” and the constrictive Immigration Laws were occurring at this time. The Roaring Twenties is considered A Renaissance Period for Broadway. It was really a battle between traditional values and new modern ideas. 70-80 new theatres opened and the number of productions more than doubled. (Hannah)
In 1920, Eugene O’Neill produced a show called The Emperor Jones. (Hannah) It was the first time a black person was cast for a black role. Previously, black roles were played by white people with painted black faces. The role was played by an actor by the name of Charles Gilpin. (Hannah) At this time, white shows and black shows were segregated, and desegregation was unheard of. Despite racial tensions, the actor and the show received excellent reviews. Even critics who were known to be racist gave good reviews to the show. This show is significant because of the social issues it addressed, such as interracial relationships, prostitution, and racial tensions. The fact that it addressed interracial relationships is important because it was illegal for people of different races and ethnicities to have relationships or marry. Prostitution wasn’t anything new, but it was never spoken of or addressed in public. Over the next few years, many productions portraying black issues were produced, including Shuffle Along, In Abraham’s Bosom, and Lulu Belle. (Hannah) In 1927, Showboat made its debut. (Cozby, 2014) This show was huge. Not only was it the first recognized musical, but was intensely controversial because it portrayed interracial marriage, confronted racism, and demonstrated the second class status of black people. (Cozby, 2014)
Just like today, fashion cues were taken from celebrities. Since television and movies were not yet mainstreamed, Broadway stars really were the focal point for the fashion industry. Actresses and their gowns were used to advertise new feminine styles and influence female consumer spending. (Charnow, 2011) Fashion became so important that theatres and producers built relationships and signed contracts with advertising agencies, fashion designers, department stores, consumer goods manufacturers, newspapers, and magazines. (Charnow, 2011) Fashion designers and department stores wanted their clothing to be worn on stage, and producers wanted to have the best clothes for their shows. It was a win-win. So, in a sense, Broadway was the initial red carpet.
In 1929, the Stock Market crashed and the black cloud of the Great Depression set in. More than half of America lost their jobs, went homeless, and had very little food. People not only had no income, but they didn’t spend any money on luxurious things or activities of amusement. This included Broadway shows. As many as 25,000 theatre employees became unemployed. Many theatres were not able to make a profit and many of them closed. The few remaining theatres lowered the price of admission to as low as 25 cents per ticket. (Hannah) Even though this was a very difficult time, this was also one of the most creative periods in Broadway. Many new shows and dramas portrayed the “working class American.” (Hannah) Other Playwrights took this opportunity to voice their disdain for the government and how useless they were in helping their fellow Americans. Theatre became a place where playwrights, directors, and producers made social commentary.
In 1935, the Theatre Works Project was initiated and approved by President Roosevelt. (Rusie, 2014) The goal of this project was to boost America’s economic health. The Project launched an experiment known as “Living Newspapers.” (Rusie, 2014) These productions were dramatizations of significant issues that were occurring at that time, such as labor unions, STD’s, public utilities, black civil rights, women’s civil rights, and homosexuality. (Rusie, 2014) They were educational and entertaining. The initial grant for the project awarded Broadway $6 million. In the four year run of the experiment, it generated $46 million, financed 1200 productions, and employed 12,000 people. (Rusie, 2014) I think they should have run this project much longer. Even though a majority of the productions were socially progressive, it was extremely successful. Not only did they meet their intended goal, but they made a huge profit, employed a large amount of people, and educated the public on important issues.
Even though many Americans did not like any government institutions or support any of the decisions that the government made, Americans rallied when WWII started in 1939. A sense of community and Patriotism spread over a majority of Americans. Many of the plays that came out in the 1940’s portrayed events happening on the battlefield or at the home front. In 1940, Robert Sherwood produced There Shall Be No Night. (Rusie, 2014) This was a play about the Russian Invasion of Finland. Lillian Hellman produced Watch on the Rhine. (Rusie, 2014) Margin for Error by Claire Booth Luce was about a Jewish Police Officer guarding the Nazi Consul. (Rusie, 2014) This is important because the production faced Anti-Semitism head on. In 1941, America entered WWII. There was a lot of emotion and hatred for several groups of people, including Germans, Nazi’s, Jews, and Japanese. Tomorrow The World by James Gow and Arnaud d’Usseau was about a young boy whose father was killed by Nazi’s. (Rusie, 2014) This production was Anti-Nazi and stirred a lot of emotions for many people. For non-German Americans, they felt hatred for what the Nazi’s were doing and what they stood for. For German-Americans, it was a hard place to be. On the one hand, they wanted to be loyal to their homeland, but they feared discrimination from the general public. On the other hand, they wanted to be true Americans and fit in with the general crowd. Sidney Kingsley’s The Patriots portrayed the ideals of our founding fathers, Washington, Jefferson, and Hamilton. (Rusie, 2014) This is important to look at because Communism, Fascism, and Socialism were seen as real threats to American Democracy. The Producers wanted to not only remind the public on the foundations that America was built on, but build a sense of Patriotism and Loyalty to America. Towards the end of the war, a play came out that often gets overlooked, but I think deserves some attention. The play is called Jeb and it was written by Ossie Davis. The play is about the hardships that black men had to face and the adjustments they had to make after returning home from the war. This also, is a very difficult position to be in. At war, they are decorated heroes, but when they return home, they are again second class citizens with no civil liberties and had no appreciation for their service.
The late 1940’s was Arthur Miller’s time to shine. All My Sons came out in 1947 and Death of a Salesman came out in 1949. (Iannone, 2003) I have personally read these two plays. The plays are about arrogant men who are materialistic and have poor values. They originally believe themselves to be successful and productive members of society, but their rocky foundations fail them and they are devastated when they learn how unsuccessful they really turned out to be. When Arthur Miller heard that Audiences left his shows in tears, he was outraged. (Iannone, 2003) His intention wasn’t to stir emotions, but to raise awareness about political and societal corruption that was overtaking our country. He wanted people to introspect and look at what was going on around them. He believed the world was “cruel” and “destructive” and he wanted to reform the values that society held.
The 1950’s was an interesting time for America. Political Persecution, McCarthyism, created chaos within America from ordinary citizens, to celebrities, to scientists, and all the way to Political figures. America was overseas in the Vietnam and Korean Wars, and The Black Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. Also at this time, a new wave of immigrants was moving into the city; Latinos. In 1957, West Side Story by Jerome Robbins quickly became one of America’s most beloved musicals. (Hannah) The underlying storyline is another version of Romeo and Juliette, but this love story was between a White and Puerto Rican couple in New York City. This musical provides us wonderful insight into this timeframe in history. First, it demonstrated the issues that were really happening in the city. Clashes and turf wars between Whites and Hispanics arose when many Hispanic immigrants moved into the cities. It also demonstrates the feelings that Whites held towards Hispanics and vice versa. They couldn’t dislike each other more. Differences in culture, language, traditions, and values certainly didn’t help. In 1958, Raisin in the Sun by Philip Rose definitely stirred racial tensions. (Bernstein, 2005) Not only was it the first black drama to open on Broadway, but the director, Lloyd Richards was the first black director. (Bernstein, 2005) This show came out at the height of the Black Civil Rights Movement. It did not receive good reviews in its initial run, most likely due to the racial controversies happening at this time, but eventually, it became a classic Broadway show. The 50’s was a dangerous time to be liberal because of the Political Persecution, but Broadway refused to conform and maintained their theatrical freedoms and views.
The 1960’s became a time when Broadway engaged in ‘Experimental Theatre.’ (Marwick, 1994) This was directly reflective of America during this time. Most notably, the Sexual Revolution swarmed through America like an epidemic. Women wanted the same freedoms that men had at home and at work. Gays started voicing their desires for sexual freedom as well. People participated in all different kinds of sex and promoted free love. Experimental Theatre offered women the opportunity to fill leadership roles in the theatre world. For the first time, women were able to become writers, directors, musicians, and lead actors. (Marwick, 1994) They were treated and respected equal to their male counterparts. In this environment, many women who were not in leadership positions became more aware of the gender biases that they encountered in everyday life outside of theatre. They were not only allowed to protest against gender inequalities, but were encouraged to do so.
In 1996, Rent by Jonathan Larson debut on Broadway for the first time. (Klein, 2007) The storyline was considered controversial when it first came out, but the show was highly praised. The show brings up many of the issues that we still face today. They include homelessness of adolescents, AIDS, drugs, teenage sex, sexuality, and the hardships of urban living. If this show doesn’t represent the issues we, as society, face today, I don’t know what does. It hit every modern social issue head on. As sad as these themes are, these are real problems and difficulties that our teenagers face every day. Yes, we still see the homeless old guy who’s asking for change, so he can buy alcohol. But, our homeless population gets younger and younger every year. Adolescents notoriously make bad decisions when it comes to drugs and sex because of lack of education and/or a rough home life. Finally, many teenagers are bullied or thrown out of their house for being gay. I saw this show in the city a few years ago. Not only was I blown away by an amazing performance, but the actors took a few minutes after the show to educate the audience on the importance of these issues.
Broadway is truly one of a kind. There is no other place on earth like it and it couldn’t be recreated if you tried. Broadway runs between 41st and 53rd Street and between 6th and 9th Avenue. (Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, 2014) Currently there are 40 theatres in Times Square and only 4 theatres actually located on Broadway. (Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, 2014) Original Broadway Theatre did not reflect American Culture, but has transformed into a media in which producers can reflect on social realities and encourage social and political progression. Broadway has made many immeasurable contributions to America and NY, including social, political, and economical. They have sponsored, supported, and held charitable events, drives, and fundraisers. Currently, Broadway generates $11.2 billion each year and supports 86,000 jobs. (Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, 2014) Out of that $11.2 billion, $8.95 billion come from non-NY tourists. (Healy, 2012) It also generates $550 million in taxes to NYC each year. (Healy, 2012) In 1988, most Broadway Theatres were designated historic sites by NY Landmarks Preservation. (Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, 2014) Broadway Theatre as a whole is filled with rich history, culture, and tradition. My first Broadway show was Annie. I was 8 years old and my Nana and Grandpa took me to see it. I remember feeling so special and it’s a memory that I will always treasure.
Works Cited
Bernstein, A. (2005). Philip Rose: A Broadway Journey Against Racism. Afro-Americans In New York Life and History, 29, 31+. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA128705134&v=2.1&u=nysl_li_molloy&it=r&p=PPUS&sw=w&asid=c0780a6ea209a45d85402ba4ab9d7541
Billeaux, S. (2007, October 25). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from Theatre in the 1920's: www.finearts360.com/index.php/theatre-in-the-1920s-6062
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Marwick, A. (1994, October). Experimental Theatre in the 1960's. History Today, 44(10), 34. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9501035738&site=ehost-live
Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting. (2014). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from History of Theatre in New York City: www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/theatre/theatre_history.shtml
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