'The Origins of Broadway: Rise of New York's Early Theater Scene' Webinar

Can't make it live? Register and get access to the full replay for one week! New York Adventure Club | www.AdventureClub.com

While Broadway is widely considered one of the top theatrical destinations in the world, have you ever wondered what came before it? And why, and how, New York City became the theater capital of America? This is the story of New York's earliest theaters and how they transformed a city once fixated on only business and trade into one dedicated to culture and the arts.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the evolution of New York's theater industry through the mid 1800s, and the actors, production managers, and playwrights who helped pave the way for modern-day Broadway to rise.

Led by New York theater-maker Ralph Lewis, our unique experience of how Broadway came to be will include:

• An overview of NYC’s very first theaters, including surprising details on the plays, playwrights, managers, and actors who worked there
• A look at how New York's early theaters compared to those in other cities, and how competition, politics, and touring companies shaped America’s theatrical landscape for centuries to come
• The reasons why so few theaters succeeded, and the importance of their building's design to that success
• Historic maps showcasing the theatrical locations from Broadway to The Bowery, along with photos of the sites today
• A listen to what critics of the day had to say about these performances, including over-the-top anecdotes, scathing reviews, and lots of gossip
• Excerpts from the rare 1851 book, Before and Behind the Curtain by William Knight Northall, which inspired this presentation

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Ralph — any and all questions about the origins of Broadway are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Ralph

Ralph Lewis has lived in downtown Manhattan for over 30 years, and since 1993 has been the co-director of Peculiar Works Project, an Obie Award-winning producer of site-specific performance. Recipient of NYIT’s 2018 Caffe Cino Award, he creates original theater as conceiver, director, writer, teacher, and actor, as well as producing diverse, multi- disciplinary works in unique, non-theater venues throughout NYC and beyond, including Merchant’s House Museum, Gershwin Hotel, Marble Cemetery, CHARAS, Bowery Whole Foods, La MaMa’s basement, all over Judson Church, and the streets of Greenwich Village for the performed walking tour, OFF Stage. Most recently on Zoom, he created Janes Calling for the 2021 Jane’s Walk (Municipal Art Society), and directed Fengar Gael’s Smile Like A Knife (Ego Actus).

Testimonials

"All of it, especially Ralph Lewis!!!" -Martin

"I enjoyed the the hosts personality and how he very obviously loved what he was talking about and put effort into making it very enjoyable for the viewers." -Eric

"The special questions." -Fred

"Informative and fun. I'm both a NYC girl and theater activist!" -Beth

"The subject was interesting." -Frances

"Well informed speaker. Also a very pleasant presentation." -George

"Ralph's knowledge, storytelling, and presentation." -Dori

"Very informative." -Donna

"Very entertaining." -Elizabeth

"Mr. Lewis was excellent! Wonderful photos and presentation." -Maggie

"Well presented, very informative!" -Barry

"Authoritative speaker, interesting subject, well presented." -Jennifer

"The knowledge and enthusiasm of the presenter. He could've talked another half hour, and it would've been super." -Sonja

"I learned something new and it was compelling." -Marianne

"The presenter was extremely on point with his knowledge of the topic and kept the pace of the presentation going. Thank you for making this presentation one of my favorites!" -Aimee

"Presenter knew his material, was well organized and was very engaging." -William

"Lots of info and insight, very entertaining." -Barry

"All very informative and entertaining." -Andrew

"I am familiar with downtown .. I have lived in Tribeca for 40 years…but not with theater in early Manhattan. Learned a lot and am going to listen again to the early part. Very nice!" -Alice

"The presenter was very animated, informative, and interesting. He enjoyed his topic, and it showed" -Deborah

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Categories: Virtual, Moments in History