Bway

Timeline of Broadway (Ameenah Elam)

By ale049!
  • Nassau Street Theatre

    Nassau Street Theatre
    The Nassau Theatre is built in 1732, becoming Manhattan's first significant theatre.
  • The Black Crook Opens

    The Black Crook Opens
    The play "The Black Crook", known as the first modern Broadway musical, opens on Broadway.
  • The First All-Black Musical Opens

    The First All-Black Musical Opens
    The musical comedy "In Dahomey" becomes the first ever musical to be written and performed by an all African-American crew and cast on Broadway.
  • Cole Porter's Broadway Debut

    Cole Porter's Broadway Debut
    The famous Broadway songwriter Cole Porter makes his Broadway debut with a musical comedy called "See America First".
  • Rodgers and Hammerstein's Debut

    Rodgers and Hammerstein's Debut
    Famous songwriting duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II make their Broadway debut with the musical "Oklahoma!", which opens in 1943.
  • First Broadway Cast Recording Released

    First Broadway Cast Recording Released
    The musical "Oklahoma!" releases its Broadway cast recording and popularizes the production of musical cast recordings.
  • First Tony Award Ceremony

    First Tony Award Ceremony
    The first ever Tony awards ceremony takes place in 1947.
  • First Best Musical Recipient

    First Best Musical Recipient
    In the 3rd annual Tony awards ceremony, the Cole Porter musical "Kiss Me, Kate" is the first ever recipient of the Best Musical Tony award.
  • The First Black Actor To Win a Tony

    The First Black Actor To Win a Tony
    At the 4th Tony Awards Ceremony, Juanita Hall becomes the first Black actor to win a Tony award.
  • Bob Fosse's Debut

    Bob Fosse's Debut
    Bob Fosse choreographs his first musical ("The Pajama Game") on Broadway.
  • Stephen Sondheim's Debut

    Stephen Sondheim's Debut
    "West Side Story" opens at the Winter Garden Theatre, and the legendary theatre songwriter Stephen Sondheim makes his Broadway debut.
  • The First Tony Awards to Be Broadcast on TV

    The First Tony Awards to Be Broadcast on TV
    The 21st Tony Awards is the first Tonys ceremony to be broadcast on national television.
  • Andrew Lloyd Webber's Debut

    Andrew Lloyd Webber's Debut
    Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber makes his Broadway debut with the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" 1971.
  • Phantom of the Opera Becomes The Longest Running Show On Broadway

    Phantom of the Opera Becomes The Longest Running Show On Broadway
    In 2006, "The Phantom of the Opera" becomes the longest running show on Broadway and would continue its run until April of 2023.
  • Hal Prince Wins The Most Tonys Ever

    Hal Prince Wins The Most Tonys Ever
    In 60th Tony Award Ceremony, director and producer Hal Prince earns his 21st Tony award, the most anyone has ever won.
  • South Pacific Becomes The Most Tony Award-Winning Musical

    South Pacific Becomes The Most Tony Award-Winning Musical
    Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1949 musical South Pacific received 17 Tony awards after its 2008 revival won 7 in addition to the original production's 10 Tonys.
  • Audra McDonald Wins The Most Tonys As a Performer

    Audra McDonald Wins The Most Tonys As a Performer
    In 2014, Audra McDonald wins her sixth Tony, making her the most Tony award-winning actress on Broadway.
  • The Lion King Breaks Box-Office Records

    The Lion King Breaks Box-Office Records
    In 2014, "The Lion King" becomes the highest grossing musical on Broadway with a worldwide gross over 6.2 billion dollars.