题目内容：

History of Broadway

When people think of Broadway, they may think of that part of the world-famous road in New York City that runs between 42nd and 53rd Streets. 1. It is a billion-dollar industry that includes theatrical shows in New York and live theater entertainment throughout the world.

New York's Theatre District has only 39 official Broadway houses. A play house must have 500 or more seats to be considered a Broadway theater. 2. Not all Broadway theatres are located on Broadway. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, buildings on Wall Street and places such as City Hall may have served as smaller theaters, and other locations in downtown New York City also did.

Today’s Broadway started when influential families contributed development of larger theaters away from the downtown area. Some people may have doubted these theaters would be successful, but they turned out to be. 3. With the rise of the new theater district, downtown changed forever as people happily traveled to the outskirts (郊区) of the city to see the best in live entertainment.

When these theaters began, many actors came from European countries. In 1857 actor Edwin Booth helped transform the Broadway theatre by popularizing a type of acting realism. Unlike actors before him, Booth did not stand still on the stage and simply deliver his lines. 4. Booth's style had a notable effect on the theater, and many considered him to be the greatest actor of his time.

5. Specifically, comedies and dramas often centred on then-current events such as women's right to vote, the Labor Movement, and war. Broadway developed again in 1866, and the Broadway musical was created. From then on, actors entertained their audiences by singing and dancing accompanied by an orchestra.

Now, Broadway is famous for various theatre productions and moving performances.

A.In fact, the shows have brought it fame throughout the world.

B.However, Broadway is much more than a geographical location.

C.Theatres, holding 100 to 499 people, are called Off-Broadway theatres.

D.Instead, he liked moving around and showing great emotion while acting.

E.Plays followed a popular style that encouraged typical characters and plots.

F.As this new style grew in popularity, the content of the shows began to change.

G.Madison Square Theater, built by the Mallory family in 1880, was one of them.