The creation of Broadway started to take place in the 1800's when musical revues, vaudeville, and minstrel shows were popular. In 1810, the theater district was developing rapidly, and most actors and composers were immigrants from Europe. Broadway was very popular in these years because it was the leading form of entertainment. Instead of having dreams of being a star in Hollywood, people aspired to be stars on Broadway.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Broadway shows didn't have plotlines. Productions consisted of dramas filled with magic and fantasy, whimsical skit performances, and amateur variety shows. In 1913, Ziegfeld's Follies was the first huge production that Broadway has ever seen. Created by Florenz Ziegfeld, the show consisted of glitzy musical revues that were held at the New Amsterdam Theater. It featured beautiful women in lavish costumes called Ziegfeld Girls, huge sets, and visual effects that amazed it's audiences. Because times were hard, this show offered glamour to the public not seen anywhere else.
1 comment:
I want to read a piece about George M. Cohan, considered by some, the father of musical comedy. And he was Grandpa's favorite song writer. He knew all his songs.
Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)is a must see. James Cagney is brilliant!
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