What It Actually Takes to Run a Broadway Show Every Night | WSJ

Broadway has long been a place where audiences come to put their fears aside and sit together to be entertained, even in times of war, recession and uncertainty. Today, it’s also a billion-dollar industry powered by thousands of workers across 41 theaters in New York’s Times Square theater district. WSJ spent a day in the life of a Broadway electrician in the lead up to a “Chicago” show to reveal the machine behind this American art form—from the factory floor to a nearly sold-out curtain call. Locations: Museum of Broadway PRG Scenic Technologies PRG Secaucus Ambassador Theatre Chapters: 0:00 – Broadway's influence 1:00 – 8am: Morning routine 3:23 – 11am: Scenic shop 4:30 – 1pm: Lighting tests 5:32 – 2pm: Visit the loading bays 6:33 – 5pm: Ambassador Theatre and “Chicago” pre-show checks 9:14 – 6pm: Doors open and show starts 9:53 – 9pm: “Chicago” ends #Broadway #Theatre #WSJ