Groovy Broadway

Some have said New York City was a dirty dingy place in the 1970s. Times Square was gritty and full of strip clubs and X-rated movie theatres and other unsavory places.  That said, the Great White Way was open for business.  Two of the longest running musicals in Broadway’s history opened  in the 70s: A Chorus Line and Oh! Calcutta (revival).  A Chorus Line is one of the most celebrated musicals of all time.  In 1976 it won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. 

The 1970s could be considered the Stephen Sondheim decade. Three of his musicals won the Tony Award for Best Musical: Company (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979).  He also had three other musicals nominated for Best Musical: Follies (1972), Pacific Overtures (1976), and Side by Side by Sondheim (1977). 

The original production of Chicago opened in 1976—the revival opened in 1996 and is still open—it’s the longest running revival in Broadway’s history.  In 1977 the original production of Annie hit the boards and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. 

Although NYC may not have been “THE place to be” (Seinfeldian), it certainly was a good decade for Broadway, especially for Stephen Sondheim.  

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