It is almost impossible not to notice the theatre scene in New York. It is such an essential component of the culture and thriving and dynamic aspect of the city’s atmosphere that much of the charge that can be felt throughout Manhattan is owed to this great tradition. New York is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations and it draws visitors not only from the rest of the country but also the entire world. Guests in New York hotels may not be there specifically to attend a Broadway production, though if it’s not already on their agenda, it usually becomes so by the end of their stay.
The New York Broadway tradition , also traditionally known as the Great White Way, is as fundamental to the culture as is pizza or great works of art. Early famous theatres in the city were the Bowery, which was established in 1821 and Park Theatre. This was also before the strict boundary definitions of what constitutes Broadway and Off Broadway shows as well as the rest. It was the beginning of the rise of popularity and importance in American theatre and actors from Europe were beginning to travel across the ocean to perform in New York. The migration to mid town had already began to occur and the trend would continue through the decades.
Some of the European stage stars, such as Junius Brutus Booth, that came over formed the first great American theatre families. Junius Junior and John Wilkes continued the tradition of their father. John Drew was another renown actor of the time and when his sister Georgia married Maurice Barrymore another family theatre dynasty was established. These early roots are provide great stories and historical information though the circumstances of the early theatre in New York is far removed from the world wide significance and prestigious it receives today. This one street in New York has become the symbol of great theatre across the nation and represents the dreams and hopes of many people in the world.