The Road to Broadway

How Vaudeville Influenced Early Musicals

The Road to Broadway: How Vaudeville Influenced Early Musicals explores the powerful and often overlooked connection between vaudeville and the early Broadway musical. Long before the polished narratives and expansive orchestras of today’s Broadway productions, vaudeville reigned supreme in New York’s entertainment scene. This dynamic and vibrant form of variety entertainment set the stage for what would become the greatest musical theatre tradition in the world.

In this captivating book, Richard Fleischman dives deep into the history of Broadway’s evolution, revealing how vaudeville’s comedic timing, theatricality, and song-and-dance routines were woven into the fabric of early musicals. From Show Boat to Oklahoma!, the influence of vaudeville is evident in the structure, energy, and boldness of these groundbreaking productions. The book highlights key figures—composers, lyricists, and performers—who transformed vaudeville’s charm into Broadway’s first masterpieces.

Discover the untold story of how vaudeville’s unique blend of humor, spectacle, and musicality shaped Broadway into the cultural phenomenon it is today. Whether you’re a theatre lover, Broadway enthusiast, or musical history aficionado, The Road to Broadway is an essential exploration of how an art form born from the streets of New York went on to revolutionize the world of musical theatre.