Broadway

Broadway is a street in New York City’s borough of Manhattan, running from West 155th Street to the tip of Manhattan. It is known as one of the world’s most famous streets and the heart of America’s theater district. Broadway has been referred to as “the Great White Way” due to its many illuminated billboards advertising shows and productions.

The name “Broadway” originated with Dutch settlers who named it Breede weg (wide road). During colonial times, it was also called Bloomingdale Road or The King’s Highway before adopting its current name in 1799 after being widened by city commissioners such as John Randel Jr.. In 1845, theaters began appearing along Broadway giving rise to what would become today’s Theater District encompassing 40 professional theaters within two blocks alongside Times Square which was once known as Longacre Square. This area became an entertainment hub for locals and tourists alike offering live performances including plays, musicals, comedy acts and more.

Although some iconic venues have closed down over time due to changing tastes or economic hardship like Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street opened in 1977 only lasting until 1980; new ones are still opening up like August Wilson Theatre on 245 West 52nd St that opened in 2017 replacing Virginia Theatre where Billy Joel first played his hit song ‘Piano Man’. Furthermore there are larger scale projects underway such as Hudson Yards located between 10th Avenue & 12th Avenue from 30-34 Streets which will include office buildings residences shopping centers restaurants hotels schools galleries museums parks performance spaces community facilities plus much more!.

Over centuries Broadway has grown into a cultural icon representing American theatre globally while maintaining small town charm locally through long standing traditions like annual Easter Bonnet contests held outside Sardi’s Restaurant since 1940! Today visitors can enjoy discounted tickets same day via TKTS booths located around Times Square allowing them access into some unforgettable stories that continue making history every night on stage all thanks to this iconic street – BROADWAY!