By Jody Tuso-Key – Managing Editor

Yesterday I went to the Museum of Broadway with my new BroadwayCon friend, Emily. We had an incredible time, and they literally had to kick us out as we were there until closing time. I could have spent all day there, and plan to go back again sometime soon to take even more time looking at all the amazing exhibits. 

First, I’d like to congratulate the huge team who took an Irish Pub/office space and made it into an iconic tribute to the Great White Way. Thanks to Julie Boardman and Diane Nicoletti, who took advantage of a 26,000 square foot opportunity during the pandemic and filled with 1000+ original artifacts, photographs, and mementos and showcased 500+ productions, Broadway Patrons, Thespians, and Theater Geeks now have a comprehensive place to feed their obsession. This is a museum you can visit more than once as the exhibits are continually added to and updated. 

One of my favorite things about this place is the gift shop is at the beginning of the museum as opposed to the end. Even if you aren’t planning to attend that day, you can still get your favorite and very reasonably priced Broadway items. When you decide to purchase your ticket you will be led up a stairway that is an introductory history lesson. At the top of the stairs is a Playbill room which showcases the currently playing Broadway shows. There are two purple booth benches from the iconic Jersey Boys set where you can sit and wait for the short film about Broadway theater just beyond the Playbill room. 

After the theater, the real magic begins as you journey through the history of Broadway and enjoy the sights and sounds of your favorite shows through the decades. There are interactive exhibits where you can take pictures of yourself on stage, including a West Side Story rooftop with a screen that encourages you to dance along. There are also wall-to-ceiling photos, quotes, fun facts, and letters from one theater icon to another–ie. A two-page letter from Steven Sondheim to Leonard Bernstein about West Side Story and an acrostic Poem written to Steven from Leonard. There is a room of artifacts that gave me goosebumps and prompted me to create a video where I eventually have viewers list the shows the artifacts come from in the comments. 

As a person who has worked in all aspects of theater, I was thrilled to see this museum pay homage to not only cast members but crew as well. There are backstage and behind-the-scenes exhibits showcasing the unsung heroes that make what happens on stage look spectacular. One of my favorite exhibits was a wall that explains how a show gets to Broadway, which is an enthralling feat of hard work and talent mixed with good fortune. 

As a picture paints a thousand words, I’ll leave you with plenty to look at and also encourage you to experience this museum for yourself. It will give you goosebumps, make you smile, and in places move you to tears. To get tickets, visit https://www.themuseumofbroadway.com/tickets The museum opens at 9:30 am each day and takes their last guests at 5:00 pm. They close their doors at 6:30 pm.