Theater in New York City

New York City is one of the most important centers for theatrical activity in the world. The famous Broadway is a street in New York City and an area with many theaters, in Manhattan, crossed by that street. The name is also used as a metonym for the theatrical activity in New York City.

In the 19th century, theaters moved northward on Manhattan Island, following the trend of the residential part of the city, until they reached Long Acre Square in the 1890s. The subway and the Times Building opened in 1904, then Long Acre Square became Times Square. In the first two decades of the 20th century more than 43 theaters were built around Broadway in Midtown Manhattan (see a map in 1906). There are also Off-Broadway options, usually produced on low budgets. There are also venues like the Madison Square Garden for mega events.