THE HANGOVER REPORT – THE MUSEUM OF BROADWAY is an immersive, playfully Instagrammable overview of Broadway’s past and present

Costumes on display at the Museum of Broadway (photo by Adrian Dimanlig).

Last weekend, I was able to visit and experience the new Museum of Broadway. Located just next door to the Lyceum Theatre on 45th Street (where the Tony-winning A Strange Loop is currently wrapping up performances), the museum is an immersive, playfully Instagrammable overview of Broadway’s past and present.

Spread across three compact and well-thought out floors, the experience takes visitors on a chronological journey from the origins of New York’s legitimate theater scene (e.g., vaudeville) right up to the current moment. After a brief film introduction, you’ll be find yourself embarking on a year-by-year history of Broadway theater, beginning with the Ziegfeld Follies. Seminal, groundbreaking musicals receive the most attention, among them Show Boat, Oklahoma, West Side Story, Cabaret, Hair Company, A Chorus Line, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, and The Lion King. If you’re looking for Instagrammable moments, the portions involving West Side Story, Hair, and Company are particularly interactive and designed around immersive photo opportunities. Although the museum’s coverage of Broadway from 2000 to the present seem noticeably rushed, I nonetheless marveled at the amount of artifacts – like costumes, props, and miniature models – the museum’s curators were able to collect. The experience concludes with a particularly interactive segment entitled “The Making of a Broadway Show”, which wonderfully explains all the components that go into putting together a Broadway show, as well as a well-stocked gift shop.

Those who appreciate theater (like myself) – particularly Broadway musicals – will find much to fawn over at the Museum of Broadway (e.g., Patti LuPone’s iconic blonde wig from Evita!). If you want to get most out of your visit, I’d suggest setting aside more or less two hours for your visit. If you find yourself overwhelmed, the museum employs dozens of helpful and enthusiastic docents who will make sure you your visit is enjoyable and illuminating.

RECOMMENDED

THE MUSEUM OF BROADWAY
Museum
Located at 145 45th Street
Experience takes approximately 2 hours to complete

Categories: Broadway, Other Musings, Theater

Leave a Reply