THE 125, Seawright, Introduction to Theatre: Broadway Theatre Research Project
***This is a research activity to review and explore current theatre productions on Broadway, OffBroadway, and Off-Off Broadway.
Grade value: 10% of the semester’s total point value.
***RETURN this sheet with your assignment.
OBJECTIVE: As a result of this exercise, the students will have researched the current theatre offerings
on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway. The students will also be familiar with the
theatrical genre, the playwright, playhouse, and overview of one play or musical currently playing in
New York. (Broadway is the main theatre avenue of NYC, the “Great White Way,” so-called because of
the bright lights on the marquees of the theatres. An Off-Broadway theatre is literally off the main
street on side streets, and Off-Off is even further off….) The student will deliver this information in
written format to the instructor, and in oral format to the class (very informally!). You may cut-andpaste some of this information. You will have to summarize some of it.
DIRECTIONS: Go to our Speed Library’s website, and follow this path:
Library homepage / Subject Guides / Theater / Theater 125
Explore Websites:
IBDB (Internet Broadway Database)
Playbill
Tony Awards
Broadway.com
The IBDB will give you the basic facts about your show plus a link to the official website for that show.
Playbill will give you more bells & whistles, as will the Tony Awards. Broadway .com links you to news
stories.
The BEST source is one you have limited access to. The New York Times Theater page (yes, the
newspaper!) will allow you to read 5 articles before it blocks you out, so choose wisely…..then finish
your search at the other websites I’ve listed.
Here’s how to search for this topic:
Type into your search engine, “New York Times Theater.” (Be sure to spell it just this way.) You may also
use other entertainment magazines or the entertainment section of a New York-based news outlet that
has a complete listing and information on what is currently playing on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and
Off-Off Broadway. If you have trouble accessing these above you can go to your search engine and type
in: “What is playing on Broadway in New York (then Off-Broadway, and then Off-Off Broadway.) From
the NY Times list, you can keep clicking tabs further to get more information. Keep digging! You will
find lots of information, everything you will need to complete this assignment.
PART ONE: BROADWAY
My show is ________________________________________________________
1. Find the playwright [or author of the book for a musical, include composer(s)].
2. Determine the genre (drama, comedy, tragicomedy, melodrama, musical, or some
combination thereof and label it).
3. Write a brief synopsis of the show (2 sentences), and determine if this show has ever been
done on Broadway before. (if it has been on Broadway before, label it as a “revival.”)
4. List the playhouse where it is being performed.
5. From your own knowledge, label any plays or musicals that may have been made into a
movie. Label “movie, too.” Example: Mamma Mia, Sister Act, and Chicago are all “movies,
too.”
6. List the main headliner or actor (male or female) for the show you have picked. Example:
Samuel L. Jackson as Martin Luther King, Jr., in Mountaintop. TIP: If you use the NY Times
source, you can click on the name of the show and it will take you to the show site. Much of
this information will appear there. Also, if you follow the “review” tab listed in the NY
Times, you can gather much of the information needed. (Just keep plugging away!)
7. Provide a brief biography of your chosen playwright. Cover these topics:
country of origin,
schooling,
work background,
new or established playwright, (if established, list some shows performed and where, any
awards?)
How long has your playwright been working in the theater? What made him/her get started
writing plays? Does your playwright work in any other media?
Ben Brantley is not a playwright; he’s a reviewer. Make sure you list the correct person as the
playwright.
8. What is the size of the playhouse where your chosen show is being performed? Where in
NYC is it located?
9. Are any of the leading actors for your chosen show well-known on stage or on film? If so,
list some previous work and any awards or recognition.
10. What is the range of ticket prices for your chosen show? How would you go about
purchasing tickets?
11.
If this is a new show, find out where it was developed. DIG!
If this is a revival, give a brief performance history of its former time on Broadway.
PART TWO: OFF-BROADWAY: Compile a list of 5 shows currently running Off-Broadway.
PART THREE: OFF-OFF BROADWAY: Compile a list of 5 shows currently running under the heading of
Off-Off Broadway.
BACK TO PART ONE: CHOOSE YOUR SHOW! Current shows, as of 11/17/15, as listed in the IBDB
(Internet Broadway Database):
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A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder
A View From the Bridge
Aladdin
Allegiance
An American in Paris
Beautiful The Carole King Musical
Chicago
China Doll
Dames at Sea
Finding Neverland
Fool for Love
Fun Home
Hamilton
Hand to God
Jersey Boys
King Charles III
Kinky Boots
Les Misérables
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Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games
Matilda The Musical
Misery
Old Times
On Your Feet!
School of Rock – The Musical
Something Rotten!
Spring Awakening
Sylvia
Thérèse Raquin
The Book of Mormon
The Color Purple
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Gin Game
The Illusionists - Live on Broadway
The King and I
The Lion King
The Phantom of the Opera
Wicked