IS2 Zine & Archive Visit: Broadway’s Longest Running Shows

Broadway shows have always been fascinating to me – with the artistry that goes into the stage, the talent and hard work of the cast, and the musical scores that somehow perfectly match the narrative. I want my zine to revolve around the world of broadway, with particular emphasis on its longest running shows like The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, The Lion King, Les Miserables, Wicked, etc. I plan to investigate “broadway culture” and ask fans and locals about the shows and why they have been there for so long.

 

From the very first introduction to this project, I had already imagined making use of layered paper. Each page will have layers that reveal information or can be interacted with the further build a narrative for the pages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on the research I have done so far, I am most likely visit the New York Public Library’s Performing Arts archive, where I will be looking for materials on the theatres in which the longest running shows take place. In my visit, I will be looking at photographs, recordings, reports, and possibly additional materials from actors, producers, and directors.

 

I want my zine to be reflective of the change that occurred throughout the decades in the context of broadway musicals, but I also want to show how these musicals prove that the arts can transcend the waves of time.