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Where is/are...?
Where Is Broadway?
Take your seats, because Where Is Broadway? is ready to take center stage!
In a lively and engaging style, authors Douglas Yacka and Francesco Sedita cover the development of the first theaters and the birth of the American musical, as well as the shows and stars that have become Broadway legends. Readers will get the inside story on their favorite shows and may even discover some new ones.
In a lively and engaging style, authors Douglas Yacka and Francesco Sedita cover the development of the first theaters and the birth of the American musical, as well as the shows and stars that have become Broadway legends. Readers will get the inside story on their favorite shows and may even discover some new ones.
112 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2019
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221 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 10, 2023
A thorough overview of the birth and evolution of theater in America including African American, musical, and dramatic. Many important contributors to theater are mentioned with brief biographical details on writers, playwrights, and composers, with short synopses of their most famous works showing examples of different storylines, styles, and times. Musicals are given particular attention. A behind the scenes chapter explains the process and the people who help take the play from script to production and was a nice addition.
I enjoyed quickly learning what several famous shows are about such as the Ziegfeld Follies, Porgy and Bess, and A Raisin in the Sun. I also found the explanation of names and locations such as Broadway, Times Square, and The Great White Way to be very helpful in understanding the districts within the bigger area. The distinctions between Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway theaters are described and I now know that the number of seats is the key determinant, not the location or other factors as I had assumed.
There's a lot of good information here, so much so that the book feels like it covers who, what, and where is Broadway. The presentation would benefit from transitions between chapters as the flow feels clumsy despite its logical progression. An informative look at live theater for budding young performers and writers.
I enjoyed quickly learning what several famous shows are about such as the Ziegfeld Follies, Porgy and Bess, and A Raisin in the Sun. I also found the explanation of names and locations such as Broadway, Times Square, and The Great White Way to be very helpful in understanding the districts within the bigger area. The distinctions between Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway theaters are described and I now know that the number of seats is the key determinant, not the location or other factors as I had assumed.
There's a lot of good information here, so much so that the book feels like it covers who, what, and where is Broadway. The presentation would benefit from transitions between chapters as the flow feels clumsy despite its logical progression. An informative look at live theater for budding young performers and writers.
August 16, 2025
I wish it leaned more into Broadway musicals that would be appropriate for the age group! This series is popular with my fourth graders and I don’t think it’s necessary to describe, even vaguely, what made the musicals Hair and Rent controversial when explaining Broadway. Also, mentioning Lea Michele as a Spring Awakening alum made me uncomfortable for a book recommended for 8-12 year olds. (If you know, you know!) If this was a YA book I would absolutely feel differently, but I think I’m keeping this in my personal library vs my school one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2021
It shows how old musicals became newer musicals today!
June 22, 2020
Interesting history of NYC, but a bit disjointed in covering plays of Broadway.
January 8, 2023
This is a book for kids but I would recommend to any adult who wants a brief but rather complete history of NY theater.
June 27, 2020
From a brief introduction to its geographical location in Manhatten and how Broadway got its name, Where is Broadway? quickly moves on to the history of theater; opera, vaudeville, minstrel shows, ragtime, and musicals. It's packed with supporting information on all things theater related.
A book for theater fans or those interested in learning about the history of stage performance in America.
Be warned, though.. your favorite Broadway stars and shows may or may not be mentioned.
Lin-Manuel Miranda deservedly gets a mention and illustration performing in Hamilton, plus later in the book, a full page bio. I love Lin-Manuel.
However, Julie Andrews, Nathan Lane, Carol Channing, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, Bernadette Peters, and Angela Lansbury are several Broadway greats off the top of my head who don't get a mention.
Chapter two focuses solely on African American theater, segregation in theater and famous theater members of color.
I'm not saying that should be left out, just that this book seemed to be less focused on answering the title question than I'm used to from this series. ("The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions..")
The following is an excellent summary paragraph from chapter two:
"Amecan theaters today embrace diversity with black actors playing many rolls that were historically portrayed by white actors. Plays and musicals are rightly cast based on talent rather than color."
This is a solid inclusion, one I would expect from these books. On a personal note: When I got to see The Phantom of the Opera on tour, Derek Davis was performing as the first Phantom of color. It was an honour and great pleasure to witness his smashing performance.
The chapter as a whole, though, and its abrupt placement, felt like an instance where striving to make a statement seemed to somewhat overshadow the main topic.
There's a lot of information for anyone who wants to learn more about American theater in a compact book. It just felt a bit disjointed to me.
A book for theater fans or those interested in learning about the history of stage performance in America.
Be warned, though.. your favorite Broadway stars and shows may or may not be mentioned.
Lin-Manuel Miranda deservedly gets a mention and illustration performing in Hamilton, plus later in the book, a full page bio. I love Lin-Manuel.
However, Julie Andrews, Nathan Lane, Carol Channing, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, Bernadette Peters, and Angela Lansbury are several Broadway greats off the top of my head who don't get a mention.
Chapter two focuses solely on African American theater, segregation in theater and famous theater members of color.
I'm not saying that should be left out, just that this book seemed to be less focused on answering the title question than I'm used to from this series. ("The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions..")
The following is an excellent summary paragraph from chapter two:
"Amecan theaters today embrace diversity with black actors playing many rolls that were historically portrayed by white actors. Plays and musicals are rightly cast based on talent rather than color."
This is a solid inclusion, one I would expect from these books. On a personal note: When I got to see The Phantom of the Opera on tour, Derek Davis was performing as the first Phantom of color. It was an honour and great pleasure to witness his smashing performance.
The chapter as a whole, though, and its abrupt placement, felt like an instance where striving to make a statement seemed to somewhat overshadow the main topic.
There's a lot of information for anyone who wants to learn more about American theater in a compact book. It just felt a bit disjointed to me.
December 30, 2019
In the early days of the Dutch settlers bargained with the American Indians and bought Manhattan Island for a sum that today would be about twenty-four dollars. The Dutch built a main road on the island and named it Breede Wegh, or Broad Road. When the English captured Manhattan from the Dutch in 1664 it was renamed Net York and Breede Wegh became Broadway. You’ll learn this and much more about the history of Broadway, Times Square, and the development of the theater industry that found its home there in Where Is Broadway? by Douglas Yacka and Francesco Sedita.
who-hq
May 11, 2020The Dutch bought Manhattan from Natives for the equivalent of $24. They built a north-south road on the island, called “Broad Road”. It was late renamed Broadway by the British.
The Shakespeare Riots took place because the crowds were unhappy that a British actor was cast instead of an America actor.
Off-Broadway (less than 500 seats) and Off-Off Broadway (less than 100 seats) is based on seat capacity.
The Shakespeare Riots took place because the crowds were unhappy that a British actor was cast instead of an America actor.
Off-Broadway (less than 500 seats) and Off-Off Broadway (less than 100 seats) is based on seat capacity.
June 2, 2023
Another good read. This book shows the history of what we now call Broadway. It talks about the beginnings of theater and shows by the English and how African American actors and writers were able to break through the business after the Civil Rights movement. It is a good start to learning about entertainment in the United States.
January 26, 2021
I am a huge musical fan, but I spent a lot of time prereading and skipping parts in this. Not geared towards kids. Over half the book is focused on adult broadway, not shows I, or the girls would watch.
February 8, 2022
Short but interesting history of Broadway. My daughter read this and enjoyed it after our recent trip to NYC to see Lion King and Wicked for her birthday. I decided to give it a quick read and I’m glad I did. It was a nice overview.
August 25, 2024
AWESOME BOOK! Written by a friend of mine from college :) A great combo of the location and history of Broadway, the history and present of musicals and plays, and a peek into performers, producers, and composers. An all around great peek at what Broadway is all about. Way to go Doug!
October 16, 2025
Picked this up for myself at an elementary school book fair. It’s brief, but covers the history and magic of Broadway. A topic I can never get enough of! I recommend to any adult looking for a summarized history of this world-famous street.
June 29, 2019
Delightful! Makes me want to see a show.
December 23, 2019
A great primer for kids. Love the inclusion of Great Comet!
January 20, 2020
I liked it.
January 25, 2020
It was good.
May 20, 2020
Really very well done. I've not read any of the WHO IS... series. I liked this. Great intro for kids. I want to read more in this series.
July 25, 2020
I wasn’t expecting this book to be so informative, but I actually learned quite a lot, so that was a nice surprise.
Read
September 18, 2021Read with 7th graders
May 9, 2022
My 10 year old brother’s recommendation. A lot of history in one little book.
October 3, 2022
Wasn't a big fan of this one.
October 8, 2025
Compact history of interesting info about Broadway
February 25, 2026
It was ok. I didn't love the writing style because it was sort of choppy at some points.I've read better books in the Who What Where series.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews