Claire Flury, 27
The creation of Broadway can be traced back to 1773, when the first show was composed in New York City. The Revolutionary War, a pivotal moment in American history, temporarily stalled Broadway's growth, but shows resumed after the war ended. The Vaudeville shows of the 1890s and early 1900s inspired many musicals. Today, Broadway musicals have adapted to address essential aspects of society, such as depression and anxiety in young adults. Many modern musicals involve serious subject matter, such as relationships, the unfairness of gender, and other real-world problems. Let's start in 1920 and go all the way to present-day shows.
1920:
Entertainment in the form of staged shows involving song, dance, costumes, speech, and other elements that have come to define modern theatre has been around since the birth of civilization and music. Before this decade, operettas and vaudeville acts dominated the stages of theater. In the 1920s, jazz music became very popular, changing how Broadway shows were made. Instead of having a straightforward story, many new shows focused on fun dance routines, chorus girls, and various songs that didn’t follow a single plot. Shows like the Ziegler Follies and The Jazz Singer were about entertainment and spectacle. The lively, upbeat energy of jazz matched the happy, carefree mood of the time, and people loved the performances. This shift from serious plays with a straightforward plot was a big part of how the Jazz Age influenced theater. It was also in 1928 that Cole Porter’s first successful musical comedy, Paris, premiered, catapulting him to a career that would span the first half of the Twentieth century.
Now:
Over the past century, Broadway has become less and less of a big deal for several reasons. Multiple shows have been canceled or ended early because they need to earn more money at the box office. According to data from the industry trade group, The Broadway League, overall grosses for the 2023-2024 season were down about 2.5% compared to the previous season. They reached $1.54 billion compared to $1.58 billion the prior year. This is an all-time low. Another reason is that TV shows and movies are more popular and accessible. People can watch it at home or on their phones, relieving their need to enter a theater. This generation often prefers new, more accessible types of entertainment like TikTok or Instagram. Lastly, only some have comfortable economic status conditions that may allow them to fly to New York City and afford the flight, hotel, and theatre ticket. In addition, this decrease is expected to continue on a downward trend over the next few years.
Although not the same experience you might have had in 1920, Broadway musicals are still a success and take billions each year. If you're interested in seeing some, here are the top musicals and Broadway shows around now!
1. Hamilton
Premiered on January 20, 2015
2. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Premiered on July 30, 2016
3. Hell's Kitchen
Premiered on: November 19, 2023
4. The Book of Mormon
Premiered on March 24, 2011
5. Hadestown
Premiered on: 2006
6. The Lion King
Premiered on July 8, 1997
7. Six
Premiered on: 2017
8. The Great Gatsby
Premiered on October 22, 2023