Broadway has been an important part of American culture from its humble beginnings in the early 18th century to its now revered status as the epicenter of the best musical theatre in the world. It has been the birthplace of countless iconic productions, turning ordinary individuals into stars and transforming stories into hit shows.
But what lies behind the glitz and glamor? Today, we pull back the curtain and explore Broadway's fascinating facts and hidden secrets. From stories of ghostly encounters to surprising backstage traditions, from unknown facts about famous shows to revealing insights into the people who make the magic happen, we unlock the mysteries of this iconic institution and welcome you into the world that lies behind the curtain.
Broadway, as we know it, is a treasure trove of trivia that never fails to intrigue theatre enthusiasts. For instance, only four of the 41 Broadway theatres are actually located on Broadway: the Winter Garden, the Broadway Theatre, the Marquis, and the Palace. The rest are on the adjacent avenues and streets that make up New York’s Theatre District. Also, have you ever wondered why there is no row 'I' in most Broadway theatres? The answer is simple but unexpected. The letter 'I' was often mistaken for the number '1', confusing ushers and patrons, so it was eliminated.
When it comes to Broadway's statistics, the numbers are just as fascinating. The musical Chicago holds the title of the longest-running Broadway show, having opened in 1975 and still going strong today. Meanwhile, The Lion King is the most commercially successful Broadway show of all time, grossing about $1.8 billion since its premiere in 1997.
Equally as intriguing are the behind-the-scenes facts about Broadway shows. For instance, the wildly popular musical Cats used a whopping 3,247 pounds of yak hair to create its distinctive costumes over its remarkable run. Meanwhile, The Phantom of The Opera, another Broadway classic, had around 300 custom-made masks for its lead character during the show’s run, with each mask crafted to fit the actor's face perfectly, ensuring comfort and mobility during performances.
Behind its dazzling lights, Broadway harbors an array of secrets. The New Amsterdam Theatre, for instance, has been a source of countless ghost stories. The most famous of these specters is Olive Thomas, a Ziegfeld Follies girl who died tragically young. For decades, theatre staff and actors have reported sightings of Olive dressed in her green beaded costume. It has even become customary to say goodbye to Olive when leaving the theatre.
Another intriguing tale hails from the roaring 1920s. Mae West, a famous actress and playwright, was arrested after her play Sex premiered on Broadway. Deemed scandalous and morally corrupt by the standards of the time, the play led to West's conviction on obscenity charges, marking one of Broadway's most notorious scandals. Undeterred, West continued to challenge societal norms throughout her career, using the controversy to fuel her fame.
Broadway is also home to a myriad of lesser-known traditions and superstitions. For example, whistling in a theatre is considered bad luck due to its historical use as a signal for stage cues. Similarly, saying Macbeth inside a theatre is believed to curse the production, leading actors to refer to Shakespeare's tragedy as The Scottish Play instead.
As we turn the spotlight on some of Broadway's current shows, a fresh set of fascinating facts come to light. Let's start with the smash hit Hamilton. It might be hard to imagine Lin-Manuel Miranda not playing the title role during the original run of the show, but in the initial stages of the musical's development, Miranda considered playing Aaron Burr, the man who famously shot Alexander Hamilton. He felt that Burr's character was more complex and conflicted but ultimately decided to step into the shoes of the 'ten-dollar Founding Father.'
Moving to The Lion King, the sheer artistry and intricacy involved in creating the show's costumes and puppets is staggering. More than 17,000 hours were invested in crafting the show's stunning visuals, making it one of Broadway's most visually impressive productions.
For Wicked, a surprising fact lies in the song 'Defying Gravity.' This show-stopping number didn’t stop at worldwide stages; it soared higher, reaching outer space, and was played aboard the International Space Station.
Some people may not know that Chicago, another long-standing Broadway favorite, is based on real-life stories of accused murderers from the roaring 1920s. The characters of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly were inspired by actual women who were acquitted of their crimes, making the musical a dark yet fascinating slice of history.
You also may not know that Moulin Rouge! The Musical is not just a love story set in the bohemian world of 19th-century Paris. The plot is also deeply inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, adding a layer of mythic resonance to the tale.
Finally, Aladdin on Broadway has a unique charm, thanks to composer Alan Menken. When adapting the beloved animated film for the stage, Menken resurrected songs initially written for the movie that were ultimately cut. These 'lost' songs now find a home in the Broadway production, making it a must-see for any Aladdin fan.
These facts underscore the depth, creativity, and dedication that go into creating Broadway hits. Each show is a world with its unique stories, challenges, and triumphs. Together, they continue to make Broadway a beacon of theatrical excellence and innovation.
With every curtain rise and fall, Broadway continues to inspire and entertain. It invites us to step into its world and to lose ourselves in the stories it tells. So, the next time you find yourself on Broadway, take a moment to appreciate the show and the world that exists behind the curtain. After all, Broadway is not just about the spectacle; it's about the stories, the secrets, and the people who make the magic happen.