Give my regards to Broadway…a famous phrase which embodies our forever love of the Great White Way where musical theater has thrived for over a century. Now, the history of Broadway Musical theater is exhaustively documented in a new book by David Armstrong: “Broadway Nation: How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical.”

But just how did Broadway become Broadway? What existed before the advent of the Broadway musical? And why is Broadway located where it is?

The important role of various communities from immigrants to LGBTQ and women, have created and progressed the musical as we know it today. From it’s Silver age, thru a Golden Age and now the modern musicals which tackle social issues, share history…the musical is a critical part of our culture.

Check out the interview which features a BONUS conversation with the author beyond the original WGN+ stream!