| The oldest north-south main thoroughfare in | | | | performances presented in 39 professional |
| Manhattan in New York City is named Broadway. | | | | theatres located in the Broadway Theatre District |
| The name Broadway comes from the Dutch | | | | in and around Times Square in New York. |
| words Breede weg. It was the place of the New | | | | It is the highest level of commercial theatre in the |
| Amsterdam settlement. A certain stretch of | | | | English-speaking world. It is followed by West End |
| Broadway forms the acme of the American | | | | theatre in London. Most live performances in |
| theater industry. | | | | Broadway theatres cater to the objective of |
| History: The origins of Broadway are ensconced in | | | | money making, rather than as shows of art. Due |
| a Native American trail known as the | | | | to this factor, Musicals form the commercially |
| Wickquasgeck Trail. The trail charted its path | | | | viable option. |
| through the brush land of Manhattan. Swamps and | | | | Art shows that serve as more cutting edge |
| rocks lay on the trail as it wound its way past the | | | | performances have been relegated to the |
| length of Manhattan Island. When the Dutch | | | | Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway theatres |
| reached the island, they converted the trail into a | | | | that lie in the lanes off Broadway. These art |
| main road through the island with New | | | | shows are non-profit ventures. Broadway theatre |
| Amsterdam at its southern tip. It was at the end | | | | is a significant tourist attraction in New York City |
| of the 18th century that this road was renamed | | | | People from all over the world come to watch |
| as Broadway. | | | | the live Musicals. |
| Great White Way: This is the name given to the | | | | Ticket sales on Broadway exceed one and a half |
| stretch of Broadway that passes through the | | | | billion dollars annually. Most Broadway |
| Midtown sector of Manhattan. This is specifically | | | | performances are open ended runs. Word of |
| the Theatre District that encompasses the area | | | | mouth publicity spreads the word around about |
| between 42nd street and 53rd street in central | | | | the popularity of a show more than billboards do. |
| Manhattan in New York. It is named as the Great | | | | Evening performances are the norm on |
| White Way as nearly a mile of the road was | | | | weekdays, with matinee performances scheduled |
| illuminated by Brush arc lamps in the year 1880. | | | | on Wednesdays and weekends. Monday is an off |
| Broadway Theatre: Its shortened form Broadway | | | | day for Broadway theatre. |
| is more popular and refers to the live | | | | |