eli5: Why does Broadway slice through Manhattan like that, and is that why it’s so famous?
In: 1
Manhattan is (mostly) on a grid system. The streets and avenues are totally straight through most of Manhattan. Streets are a standard distance apart (1/20th of a mile), and streets and avenues are of a standard width. This plan was first implemented in the 1800’s, which is after New York City was a city, and after Broadway was built. Broadway ran through most of Manhattan and was a major street so it was kept.
Broadway is famous because of theater. New York City is the musical theater capital of the USA, and arguably the world (though London’s West End might disagree with that). Most of the biggest theaters are in the Theater District, which is in Midtown Manhattan right near Broadway. If you are acting in, writing, directing, or working on a show that is on Broadway then you are at the height of the profession, it’s the theater equivalent of being in the major leagues for an athlete.
That said when talking about theater the term “Broadway” doesn’t technically refer to the street. In New York City a show can be “Broadway,” “Off-Broadway,” or “Off-Off-Broadway.” This determination is based on how big the theater is, not on the location. If a show is in a theater that seats more than 500 people that show is “on Broadway.” If the theater seats between 100 and 499 people it is “Off-Broadway.” If it seats less than 100 then it is “Off-Off-Broadway.” In fact of the 41 Broadway theaters in NYC only 4 of them are actually located on Broadway itself.
Latest Answers