Tag Archives: Broadway

today’s birthday: Béla Lugosi (1882)

Béla Lugosi (1882)

Lugosi, a Hungarian-born US actor, is best known for his portrayal of Dracula in the Broadway stage production and subsequent film of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire story. He appeared in the 1931 film version wearing minimal makeup and using his natural, heavily accented voice. Following this memorable performance, Lugosi found himself frequently typecast as a horror film villain. When Lugosi died in 1956, his son and fourth wife decided to bury him wearing what part of his Dracula costume? More… Discuss


this day in the yesteryear: 42nd Street Opens on Broadway (1980)

42nd Street Opens on Broadway (1980)

42nd Street tells the story of an up-and-coming chorus girl from Allentown, Pennsylvania, pursuing a Broadway career during the Great Depression. This hugely successful stage musical premiered on August 25, 1980, at New York City’s Winter Garden Theatre. Known for its elaborate tap dances and songs like “We’re in the Money,” it won Tony Awards for Best Choreography and Best Musical and saw a Broadway revival in 2001. What tragedy marred 42 Street’s opening night? More… Discuss

The Walnut Street Theatre

The Walnut Street Theatre

The Walnut Street Theatre, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the oldest continuously-operating theater in America. Its first play was The Rivals in 1812, and it went on to host many pre-Broadway tryouts of soon-to-be classics—including Gigi with Audrey Hepburn and A Streetcar Named Desire with Marlon Brando. Technologically innovative, it was the first theater to install gas footlights and air conditioning. In 1976, what major non-theatrical event happened there? More…

Promenade. (Walking the dog). George Gershwin.

Promenade. (Walking the dog). George Gershwin.