Longest Street in America (Broadway)
Broadway has sometimes been called “the longest street in America.” “And our Great White Way is the brightest spot in the universe. The finest parks in the world are here. And the longest street in America” was printed in 1925 newspapers.
“Broadway” is often a metonym for Broadway theatre, and “longest street in America” refers to the many Broadway productions that are in other American cities besides New York. Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, said in 2007:
“As Broadway has a main street named after it in over 25 cities that we know of, and as we have a Broadway series in over 150 cities, it is clear that Broadway really is the longest street in America.”
The magazine Playbill stated on June 8, 2017:
‘
“Considering the records it’s been breaking from coast to coast, “Broadway” might just need an extra nickname. Along with the Rialto and the Great White Way, we should officially start calling it ‘the Longest Street in America.’ Legend has it that Paul Libin, the iconic theatre manager and recipient of a 2013 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, was the first to use that phrase, and even a glance at the current season proves he was on to something. More than ever, Broadway tours are taking the experience of Broadway across the country, giving millions of people a chance to experience New York City theatre.”
Wikipedia: Broadway (Manhattan)
Broadway /ˈbrɔːdweɪ/ is a road in the U.S. state of New York. Broadway runs from State Street at Bowling Green for 13 mi (21 km) through the borough of Manhattan and 2 mi (3.2 km) through the Bronx, exiting north from the city to run an additional 18 mi (29 km) through the municipalities of Yonkers, Hastings-On-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, and Tarrytown, and terminating north of Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County.
It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in New York City, dating to the first New Amsterdam settlement, although most of it did not bear its current name until the late 19th century. The name Broadway is the English language literal translation of the Dutch name, Brede weg. Broadway is known widely as the heart of the American theatre industry.
Wikipedia: Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly known as Broadway, refers to the theatrical performances presented in the 41 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theater District and Lincoln Center along Broadway, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Along with London’s West End theatre, Broadway theatre is widely considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English-speaking world.
The Theater District is a popular tourist attraction in New York City.
IBDB (The Internet Broadway Database)
Paul Libin
Producer, Theatre Owner/Operator, Stage Manager, Manager, General Manager, Production Crew, Other
5 February 1925, Knoxville (TN) News, “In New York” by James W. Dean, pg. 4, col. 6:
Can’t you see our buildings? They’re the tallest in the world. And our Great White Way is the brightest spot in the universe. The finest parks in the world are here. And the longest street in America.
The Clyde Fitch Report
Broadway Tip-Toes into the 21st Century
BY LEONARD JACOBS JUN 29 2007
(...)
Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director, The League of American Theatres and Producers, says, “As the representative of the commercial theatre, we believe that AUDIENCE REWARDS enables our members to work cooperatively to build a powerful marketing platform that will strengthen the industry. We are so pleased that Broadway now has a way to recognize, connect and reward our most important constituents- passionate theatergoers. This is a milestone that reinforces our belief that Broadway is the longest street in America.”
Broadway.com
Producers’ Trade Association Changes Its Name to The Broadway League
by Broadway.com Staff • Dec 18, 2007
The membership of the League of American Theatres and Producers, the national trade association for the Broadway industry, voted on December 18 to approve its Board of Governors’ recommendation to change the organization’s name to The Broadway League.
(...)
“As Broadway has a main street named after it in over 25 cities that we know of, and as we have a Broadway series in over 150 cities, it is clear that Broadway really is the longest street in America, making our new name even more appropriate across the country,” Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, said in a statement.
Twitter
martha jane
@mjane12
Overheard in NY: Tourist 1: “I heard Broadway is the longest street in America!”
Tourist 2: “It’s true!”
9:46 AM - 20 Jul 2009
17 May 2011, Targeted News Service (Washington, DC), “The Broadway League Reveals ‘The Audience for Touring Broadway’ for 2009-2010 Season”:
(...)
“Both Broadway in New York City and on the Road are evolving with the changes in the country and the diversity of shows that are attracting audiences of all ages and interests,” said Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League. She continued, “Our numerous selection of shows, varying performance times, and myriad prices points are keeping Broadway relevant and, as we always like to say, keeping Broadway “the longest street in America!”
12 August 2012, Las Vegas (NV) Review-Journal, “The hits will keep coming to The Smith Center” by Carol Cling, pg. A13:
Broadway once again represents “the 800-pound gorilla” as touring musicals account for “the largest percentage of ticket sales,” according to Smith Center President Myron Martin.
“I’ve heard people talk about Broadway as the longest street in America,” he says, happily noting that “Broadway now cuts through Las Vegas.”
Twitter
Tater Tot
@taylorrrrr32
Longest street in America #Broadway
2:25 PM - 24 Mar 2013 from Manhattan, NY
Google Books
Easy Street (the Hard Way):
A Memoir
By Ron Perlman
Philadelphia, PA: Da Capo Press
2014
Pp. 18-19:
But if you walked out and went left, you were on Broadway, the longest street in America.
Twitter
ARAD Columbia
@ARADColumbia
ARAD Columbia Retweeted Jennifer Tepper
Great news indeed! After all, ‘#Broadway is the longest street in America.’ #theatreARAD Columbia added,
Jennifer Tepper @jenashtep
INCREDIBLE news for our industry. Obama Signs Broadway Tax Package Into Law – Broadway Producers Weigh In: http://m.playbill.com/news/article/obama-signs-broadway-tax-package-into-law-broadway-producers-weigh-in-376117 …
12:11 PM - 20 Dec 2015
Google Books
Candid Conversations With Broadway Pros:, Volume 2
By Ken Davenport
Lulu Publishing (Lulu.com)
2016
Pg. ?:
Paul Libin always says Broadway is the longest street in America, and when people hear “live theater” they assume that we’re only talking about Broadway. But these tax incentives exist in all 50 states.
Google Books
Candid Conversations With Broadway Pros:, Volume 4
By Ken Davenport
Lulu Publishing (Lulu.com)
2016
Pg. ?
Ken: And now it does feel like we’re so much a part of the same team and that Broadway’s not just right here in New York City. Broadway stretches across the country.
Al: Yeah, I mean I give Paul Libin complete credit for this…Paul, who works for Jujamycn and has been a stalwart in the business for many, many years. He says that Broadway is the longest street in America.
Twitter
Art Lynch
@artlynch
Broadway is the longest street in America, and now goes straight through Las Vegas. Broadway stars graced our…
10:53 AM - 19 Jan 2017
Twitter
DPAC
@DPAC
“Broadway truly is the longest street in America” Paul L #LeagueSRC
8:06 AM - 16 May 2017 from Manhattan, NY
Playbill
How Is Broadway Doing On the Road?
BY MARK BLANKENSHIP
JUN 08, 2017
Grosses are hitting record highs in New York City, but something remarkable is happening with theatre across America.
Considering the records it’s been breaking from coast to coast, “Broadway” might just need an extra nickname. Along with the Rialto and the Great White Way, we should officially start calling it “the Longest Street in America.”
Legend has it that Paul Libin, the iconic theatre manager and recipient of a 2013 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, was the first to use that phrase, and even a glance at the current season proves he was on to something. More than ever, Broadway tours are taking the experience of Broadway across the country, giving millions of people a chance to experience New York City theatre.