Sunday, June 16, 2024

InfluenceofBroadwayinUS

Broadway is not just a theater, a street, or an avenue, it conveys the culture of historical growth and vibrance.

Broadway Avenue (Street) in the United States, holds a unique position in American culture as a symbol of artistic creativity, entertainment, and theatrical innovation. It continues to be a magnet for theater enthusiasts, performers, and tourists from around the world seeking to experience the magic of live theater.


Besides long long Broadway streets and big Broadway theaters in New York, there are Broadway streets and avenues in cities of different states of the US and worldwide.


Broadway in Washington DC: Washington D.C. actually has an avenue named Broadway, but it's not a major theater district like New York City's Broadway. Broadway Ave in Washington D.C. is a short street located northwest of the city center. It intersects with Pennsylvania Avenue at a significant point, right in front of the National Theatre, which is a historic landmark, and often referred to as "The Theatre of Presidents" due to its long association with American presidents attending performances. Broadway Ave itself is a very short street and doesn't extend beyond a few blocks.


Broadway in San Francisco: San Francisco's Broadway is quite different from its namesake in New York City. It runs east-west for about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) through several neighborhoods.

Starts at The Embarcadero near the waterfront and ends at Lyon Street near the Presidio.

Character changes throughout its route from Embarcadero to Chinatown: This section has a mix of commercial buildings and residential hotels. West of North Beach Broadway becomes more residential, with apartment buildings and houses. It eventually reaches wealthier neighborhoods like Pacific Heights.


Unlike New York's Broadway, San Francisco's Broadway isn't known for large-scale, professional theater productions. However, there are a few smaller theaters and performance venues along the route, particularly in North Beach. San Francisco's Broadway offers a unique blend of history, nightlife, and cultural influences. While it doesn't have the theater focus of its New York counterpart, it provides a glimpse into the city's diverse neighborhoods


Broadway in Los Angeles: In Los Angeles, Broadway is a historic thoroughfare that played a significant role in the city's development. Runs north-south for about 6.8 miles (11 km) through Downtown Los Angeles and several other neighborhoods. This stretch, between 3rd and 9th Streets, is now known as the Broadway Theater and Commercial District. It's the first and largest historic theater district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district is currently undergoing revitalization efforts to preserve its heritage and create a vibrant mixed-use space.


Broadway is a major thoroughfare running through downtown Los Angeles, extending approximately 10 miles from Lincoln Heights to South Los Angeles. Broadway stretches beyond the historic theater district, transitioning through various neighborhoods with diverse character. It offers a mix of commercial areas, residential pockets, and industrial zones as you travel along its length. Explore the revitalized historic theaters or venture into the diverse neighborhoods along Broadway to experience different sides of Los Angeles.


Broadway in Seattle: Seattle actually has a street named Broadway, but it's quite different from the famous Broadway in New York City. This Broadway is a north-south thoroughfare that stretches for about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) through Seattle's First Hill and Capitol Hill neighborhoods. It starts near Yesler Way at Yesler Terrace and continues north to East Roy Street.  It's a two-lane arterial street with a mix of characteristics.  Parts near First Hill have streetcar tracks and a protected bike lane, while other sections have a more residential feel.


Broadway in Chicago: Chicago has a street named Broadway, but it's not an avenue or a street in the traditional sense! Unlike most Chicago thoroughfares that have a suffix like "Street," "Avenue," "Road," etc., Broadway in Chicago stands alone with just the name "Broadway." This is the only exception in the city's naming system.


Location and Direction:  Broadway runs along the city's North Side, primarily through the Lake View, Uptown, and Edgewater neighborhoods. It stretches from Diversey Parkway to Devon Avenue. Diagonal Path:  An interesting quirk is that Broadway has a mostly diagonal southeast-to-northwest direction between Diversey and Lawrence Avenues (around North 4800). North of Lawrence, it switches to a north-south direction until it reaches Devon Avenue.


Santa Monica, technically part of the Los Angeles metro area, does have a street named Broadway! However, it's quite different from the historic Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles. Broadway in Santa Monica runs east-west for about 2.2 miles (3.5 km). It starts near the beach at Ocean Park Boulevard and stretches inland, ending near the Santa Monica Freeway. This Broadway is known for being a walkable street with a mix of businesses, restaurants, and residential areas. It has a vibrant and trendy atmosphere, especially closer to the beach.


 Pasadena, CA does have a Broadway!  In fact, there used to be a prominent department store called the Broadway Department Store located there, although it's no longer around. Location and Character: Broadway in Pasadena runs north-south for about 2.2 miles (3.5 km). It starts near the historic Colorado Street Bridge and ends north of Memorial Park. The southern end, closer to Old Pasadena, has a mix of commercial areas with shops, restaurants, and offices. 


There are many Broadway streets or avenues across different cities and states. Broadway is not just a theater, a street, or an avenue, It conveys the culture of historical growth and vibrance. It embraces diversity and inclusivity, featuring stories and performers from diverse backgrounds. Broadway attracts some of the world's talent to live authentic lives, broaden their vision, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and transformative changes. 


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