When Was The First Broadway Shown?

The Broadway musical was born in 1866 when William Wheatley staged the first show. He called it the Black Crook. During the show the first time the audience saw drama and listened to the orchestra which was joined by about a hundred dancing gypsies visiting from Paris.

Charles Forman opened Empire Theater in 1893 which led to the theater moving on to Longacre Square which is now known as Times Square. By 1900 the theater district had extended along Broadway 13 Street all the way to 45th street which was playing a show called "The Great White Diamond".

Audiences frequently became very drawn to plays, every now and then talking to the actors, hissing and even clapping. All theaters at this point in time had a pit orchestra that performed before the show, during breaks, and even after the show charming the audience with music.