In the last 15 years of the 20th century, Broadway struggled with the demise of the impresario, the entrance of big corporate sponsors, skyrocketing ticket prices and production costs, and a dwindling audience base. English imports like Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and Miss Saigon did well, but where was the authentic American voice that had defined Broadway musicals?
That answer came as the 21st century dawned: from Mel Brooks' The Producers, the most award-winning show in history, to last year's Tony winner, Kinky Boots, to this year's Aladdin and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, see what's happened to Broadway.
Playlist
Coleman/Zippel: Finale from City of Angels
Original Cast
Gershwin: Finale from Crazy for You
Original Cast
Schoenberg/Boublil: "The Ceremony" from Miss Saigon
Lea Salonga and Cast
Menken/Ashman: "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast
Gary Beach and Cast
Sondheim: Finale from Passion
Jere Shea and Donna Murphy
John/Rice: "Circle of Life" from The Lion King
Original Broadway Cast
Flaherty/Ahrens: Opening from Ragtime
Cast
Larson: "Seasons of Love" (Finale) from Rent
Cast
Brooks: "I Want to Be a Producer" from The Producers
Matthew Broderick and Cast
Idle/Du Prez: "Diva's Lament" from Spamalot
Sara Ramirez
Hansard/Irglova: "Gold" from Once
Cast
Pasek/Paul: Overture and "Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun" from A Christmas Story: The Musical
Clark Hallum as Ralphie
Lauper: Opening/"The Most Beautiful Thing in the World" from Kinky Boots
Full Company
Aladdin Overture
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder "I Don't Understand the Poor"
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