Discover the Magic: Top 12 Fun and Fascinating Broadway Facts You Never Knew

1. Cat-tacular Longevity

You know your friends who are self-proclaimed "cat people" and can't help but show you all 12 seasons of their home-baked cat opera? Well, at least they're not alone in their feline fascination: Broadway's "Cats" had audiences purring with delight for an amazing 18 years! Running from 1982 to 2000, T.S. Eliot's whiskered wonders may not have clawed their way to the top as the longest-running musical, but they still landed the fifth and seventh spots on Broadway and the West End respectively. Quite the cat's meow, huh?
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Phantom's Record-Breaking Reign

Who you gonna call? Phantom busters! Because the Phantom of the Opera ain't afraid of no ghost when it comes to smashing Broadway records: The longest-running Broadway show, with 13,981 performances under its mysterious mask, "The Phantom of the Opera" won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Leading Actor, Featured Actress, and Direction, haunting the stage from 1988 until its final bow on April 16, 2023.
Source => forbes.com

Did you know ancient Romans used rhythmic clapping and shouting in theaters to express their political opinions? Discover how this live "poll" influenced leaders' actions!

=> Fun Facts about Theatre

3. Broadway Theaters' Hidden Hideouts

Broadway theaters are like a game of "Where's Waldo?": scattered across the map and a true test of one's seeker skills. Bet ya didn't know that of the forty theaters in New York City's legendary Broadway District, only four of these gems can be found on the actual street of Broadway itself! Renowned as the crème de la crème of English-speaking theater, this prestigious collection sits tucked between West 41st and West 53rd Street, from Sixth to Ninth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
Source => interexchange.org

4. Investing in Showstopping Success

Who says there's no business like show business? There's certainly "money, money, money" to be made for some savvy investors who bet their bottom dollar on a Broadway hit: Successful productions like Wicked, Hamilton, Kinky Boots, and Cats have raked in millions, offering investors units for $25,000 and a chance to receive profits if the show strikes gold. While investing in shows is risky, around 2-3 out of every 5 productions reportedly recoup their money, making Broadway a potential goldmine for those willing to roll the dice.
Source => investingbroadway.com

5. General Tom Thumb's Royal Encounters

Who says size doesn't matter? It certainly didn't for one tiny titan who wowed the world, and even hobnobbed with royalty and presidents: General Tom Thumb, a 35-inch tall dwarf, was the star attraction at Barnum's American Museum, impressing the likes of Queen Victoria with not one, but two performances, and even receiving a personal pat on the back from Abraham Lincoln on his wedding day.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. The Mighty Antoinette Perry

Lights, camera, Tony Awards! The name may sound like a friendly neighbor you'd borrow sugar from, but there's more to this moniker than meets the eye: Antoinette Perry, the very inspiration for the Tony Awards, was a bonafide theater powerhouse – actress, director, and producer – who co-founded the Theatre Wing of Allied Relief during WWII, financed playwrights' work, underwrote auditions, and paved the way for other prestigious Broadway honors like the Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Lucille Lortel Awards.
Source => tonyawards.com

7. Rolling out Accessibility

Roll out the red carpet and make room for the wheels of wonder: Broadway shows offer specific seating for wheelchair users, ensuring accessibility for all, with additional provisions like closed captions, sign language interpretation, or a "relaxed" experience for children with disabilities available in certain productions.
Source => newyorktheatreguide.com

8. The Origin of "Break A Leg"

Ever tried to "break the leg" of good fortune? You might be confusing it with Broadway's quirky custom: "Break a leg" is actually a superstition dating back to the 1920s or 1930s, and is used to wish performers luck without being specific to Broadway or even theater in general!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. The Celeb-Studded Broadway Playground

When the "bright lights of Broadway" isn't just a metaphorical phrase but a who's who of dazzling celebrities: Broadway theaters have been a star-studded playground for the likes of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Barbra Streisand, and Angela Lansbury, who all took to the stage with their boundless talents and magnetic performances.
Source => broadway.org

10. Vintage Playbill Treasures

Step right up, get your souvenirs! Grab a program that's older than the oldest grandpa in town - well, sort of: Playbill Magazine, that oh-so-fetching keepsake from nearly every Broadway and Off-Broadway show, actually traces its roots back to 1884 when Frank Vance Strauss founded it as the New York Theatre Program Corporation. However, the first version with "The Playbill" stamped on its cover didn’t waltz onto the scene until the 1930s. Nowadays, each issue not only lets you brag about the fab shows you’ve attended but also delves into actor profiles, fresh plays, musicals, and more, replete with all the juicy deets on cast members, authors, composers, and production staff.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. The Fountain of Youth on Broadway

Who needs a wrinkle in time when there's Broadway to keep you young at heart and laughing out loud? Ladies and gentlemen, behold the elixir of youth: In the 2017-2018 theater season, the average age of the Broadway audience was just 40, the lowest it had been in almost 20 years! As the curtains rise and tourists pour in, more than 66% of all Broadway tickets during the 2012-2013 season were snagged by visitors eager to witness the magic, and total attendance soared to 14.77 million in 2018-2019. Start spreading the news: Broadway isn't just for the oldies but the goodies!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

12. Theater Power: An Electric Extravaganza

If Broadway theaters were to audition for a reality TV show, they might just end up on "Extreme Energy Makeover: Theatre Edition": Astonishingly, the average theater consumes a whopping 20,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which is twice the amount used by the average American home!
Source => forum-theatre.com