Broadway Shows

At over one and one half billion annual ticket sales, the Broadway Theater performances are big business for New York’s borough of Manhattan.  With 39 large professional theaters in the district of Manhattan, it is one of the major attractions for visiting tourists and residents alike.  The first performance considered a musical was “The Black Crook,” which was performed in 1866 and was approximately five and a half hours long.  Even with its lengthy time, it still ran for 474 performances as one of the most popular performances of its time.

One of the greatest performances and the longest running Broadway shows in history is “The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Webber, which debuted in 1988.  It has run in 22 countries and for 18 years straight in Manhattan alone.  It has become a favorite for visitors to the theaters.  Just the experience of walking down Broadway known as the “Great White Way” is spectacular.  It received this nickname due to the millions of lights in the theater marquees which light the way as you go down the street.  It is an exciting experience even before you actually go into the theater.

The theater experience can only be fully appreciated by being there.  There is nothing as exciting as a live performance to take your emotions to the extreme, as the performers portray the characters in the play.  The costumes and backdrops are alive and colorful, keeping your attention for the next set.  You will laugh and cry, but it will be an experience you will talk about for years to come.