Broadway facts for kids
Broadway is a word that can mean many different things! It's most famous for its amazing live shows in New York City. But it's also the name of many streets, places, and even people around the world.
Let's explore what "Broadway" can refer to:
Broadway Theatre: The Famous Shows
When most people hear "Broadway," they think of the incredible live plays and musicals in New York City. These shows are performed in special theatres located near a long street called Broadway in Manhattan.
What is Broadway Theatre?
Broadway theatre refers to the highest level of professional live shows in the United States. These shows are a huge part of American culture. Many famous actors, singers, and dancers dream of performing on a Broadway stage.
The shows range from exciting musicals with singing and dancing to serious plays that make you think. Seeing a Broadway show is a popular activity for tourists visiting New York City.
The Broadway Street
The actual street named Broadway is one of the oldest main roads in New York City. It runs for about 13 miles (21 kilometers) through Manhattan and the Bronx. The famous theatre district is just one part of this long street.
Broadway in Arts and Entertainment
Besides theatre, "Broadway" also appears in movies, music, and other forms of entertainment.
Films Named Broadway
- Broadway (1929 film): This movie was based on a popular play.
- Broadway (1942 film): This film starred actors like George Raft and Janet Blair.
Music with Broadway
"Broadway" is a popular title for music, including bands, albums, and songs.
Music Groups and Labels
- Broadway: An American band known for its post-hardcore music.
- Broadway: An American disco band from the 1970s.
- Broadway Records: A name used by different music companies.
Albums Called Broadway
- Broadway (album): A 1964 album by Johnny Mathis, released again in 2012.
- Broadway: An album released in 2011 by the singer Kika Edgar.
Songs Named Broadway
- "Broadway": A song by the Goo Goo Dolls from their 1998 album Dizzy Up the Girl.
- "Broadway": A song by Sébastien Tellier from his 2004 album Politics.
- "Broadway": A jazz song from 1940 by Billy Byrd, Teddy McRae, and Henri Woode.
- "Broadway": A song by the famous band The Clash from their 1980 album Sandinista!.
Other Arts and Media
- Broadway Journal: A magazine that was owned and edited by the famous writer Edgar Allan Poe.
- Broadway (play): A popular play from 1926 written by George Abbott and Philip Dunning.
- Broadway: A character who is a friendly gargoyle in the animated TV series Gargoyles.
Businesses and Organizations
Many businesses and organizations around the world use "Broadway" in their names.
Shopping Centers
- Broadway Shopping Centre: A large shopping mall in Sydney, Australia.
- Broadway Shopping Centre: A shopping center located in London, England.
- The Broadway: Another shopping center, found in Bradford, England.
- Broadway at the Beach: A big shopping and entertainment area in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA.
Other Businesses
- Broadway Circuit: A chain of movie theaters in Hong Kong.
- Broadway Cinema: A movie theater in Nottingham, United Kingdom.
- Broadway Video: An American company that produces TV shows, including Saturday Night Live.
People Named Broadway
Some people are known by the name "Broadway," either as their actual name or as a nickname.
- "Broadway Joe": This is the nickname for the famous American football player Joe Namath (born in 1943).
- Lance Broadway: An American actor and former baseball pitcher (born in 1983).
- Remi Broadway: An Australian actor (born in 1978).
- Shane Broadway: An American politician (born in 1972).
Places Called Broadway
The name "Broadway" is used for many towns, villages, and neighborhoods around the world.
Towns and Villages
- Broadway, Worcestershire: A beautiful village in England, known for its Cotswold stone buildings.
- Broadway, North Carolina: A town in the United States.
- Broadway, Virginia: Another town in the United States.
Roads and Streets
Many cities have a main street called "Broadway."
Famous Broadway Streets in the United States
- Broadway, Manhattan: The famous street in New York City, home to the theatre district.
- Broadway, Los Angeles: A historic street in California known for its old movie palaces.
- Broadway, San Francisco: A street in California that runs through different neighborhoods.
- Broadway, Seattle: A major street in Washington state.
Other Broadway Streets
- Broadway, Vancouver: A busy street in British Columbia, Canada.
- Broadway, Sydney: A main road in New South Wales, Australia.
- Broadway, Chennai: A well-known street in India.
Transport and Travel
"Broadway" is also used in names related to transportation, like train lines and stations.
New York City Transport
- BMT Broadway Line: A subway line in the New York City Subway system.
- Broadway Junction: A large subway station complex in Brooklyn, New York.
- IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line: Another subway line in New York City.
Other Transport Uses
- Broadway station: A subway station in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
- Broadway Limited: A famous passenger train that used to travel between New York City and Chicago.
- Ealing Broadway station: A train and subway station in London, England.
- Renault Broadway: A version of the Renault 9 car, sold in some countries.
- Broadway Subway Project: A new subway line being built in Vancouver, Canada.
Other Uses of Broadway
- Broadway: This was the code name for a computer chip used in Nintendo's Wii gaming console.
- Broadway: A special style of letters (a typeface) that looks decorative and was popular in the 1920s.
