BroadwayHD is an on-demand digital streaming media company. Based in New York City, the company records and distributes live theater performances and previously recorded theatrical productions through its platform.[2][3][4]

BroadwayHD
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
HeadquartersNew York City
ProductsStreaming media, video on demand, live stream productions
Number of employees
20[1]
Websitebroadwayhd.com

History

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Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley, Tony Award-winning producers, wanted to democratize the niche market of Broadway by filming live productions and making them available to a wider audience through the internet. As long standing members of the community, they formed agreements with all 17 unions, guilds and associations behind Broadway shows so that show creators are compensated for filming. BroadwayHD has partnered with leading theatre companies such as Roundabout Theatre Company, The Public Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Geffen and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.[5][6] BroadwayHD's website, which featured on demand streaming, launched in fall 2015 with 100 titles from Broadway and London's West End.[7][8]

She Loves Me livestream

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In June 2016, BroadwayHD produced a live stream of the Roundabout Theater Company's production of She Loves Me from Studio 54.[9][10][11] The production earned BroadwayHD a Guinness World Record for the first live stream of a Broadway show.[1][12][13]

Tony Awards Backstage Broadcast

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In 2016 BroadwayHD produced the first extra behind-the-scenes video content streamed show during the CBS telecast of the awards, live from the Beacon Theatre.[14]

Productions

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In addition to its livestream of She Loves Me, the company has also produced livestreams of The Geffen Playhouse's Long Day's Journey into Night starring Jane Kaczmarek and Alfred Molina,[15] Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, starring Bryce Pinkham and Corbin Bleu,[16] and Ernest Shackleton Loves Me.[17]

BroadwayHD has also produced Present Laughter with Kevin Kline,[18][19] Paula Vogel's Indecent,[20] John Patrick Shanley's The Portuguese Kid with Jason Alexander,[21][22] and Drew Droege's Bold Colors, Bright Patterns directed by Michael Urie.[23][24]

Digital on-demand library

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As of April 2018, BroadwayHD's library includes over 200 titles[5] including Hugh Jackman in Oklahoma![25][26] and Ian McKellen as King Lear.[27] BroadwayHD features content other than plays, such as coverage of the American Theatre Wing's Centennial Gala,[28] concerts[29][30] and theater documentaries.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Christopher Zara (January 10, 2018). "Live-Streamed Broadway Shows? The Tech Was Easy, But Oh The Drama!". Fast Company.
  2. ^ "Broadway on Demand? New Streaming Service Aims to Bring Stage to Screens" by Gordon Cox, Variety, October 26, 2015
  3. ^ Angelica Fusco (May 27, 2016). "Broadway goes digital with subscription service". CBS News.
  4. ^ Lee Seymour (December 10, 2015). "Broadway Goes Digital: From Livestreams To Subscription Services". Forbes.
  5. ^ a b Rich Mintzer (17 April 2018). "How This Huband-and-Wife Team Made Broadway Accessible". Entrepreneur.
  6. ^ "Backstage with Richard Ridge: Meet the Masterminds Behind BroadwayHD- Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane!". Broadway World.
  7. ^ James Williams (February 10, 2018). "BroadwayHD Is An Entertainment Game Changer For Theater Fans". News Talk Florida.
  8. ^ Gordon Cox (October 26, 2015). "Broadway on Demand? New Streaming Service Aims to Bring Stage to Screens". Variety.
  9. ^ a b Vincentelli, Elisabeth (2017-11-20). "A Night at the Theater From Your Couch? No Apologies Needed". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  10. ^ Margaret Lyons (July 1, 2016). "Broadway Comes to a Laptop Near You". New York Times.
  11. ^ Robert Diamond (June 29, 2016). "What's the Future of Live Streamed Musicals? BroadwayHD Co-Founders Stewart F. Lane & Bonnie Comley Explain + She Loves Me!". Broadway World.
  12. ^ Walter McBride (April 22, 2017). "Photo Coverage: Guinness World Record Certificate Awarded to BroadwayHD". Broadway World.
  13. ^ "Broadway is making history by live-streaming She Loves Me direct from the stage" by Aja Romano, Vox, June 30, 2016
  14. ^ "BroadwayHD Announces First-Ever Second Screen Backstage Broadcast at the 70th Annual Tony Awards".
  15. ^ BWW News Desk. "Geffen Playhouse's Starry LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT to Stream with BroadwayHD". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  16. ^ "BroadwayHD Review: 'Present Laughter'". OnStage Blog. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  17. ^ Gans, Andrew (25 May 2017). "BroadwayHD Will Live Stream Off-Broadway's Ernest Shackleton Loves Me". Playbill.
  18. ^ Fierberg, Ruthie (7 September 2017). "Broadway's Present Laughter and More Now Available to Stream on BroadwayHD". Playbill.
  19. ^ "BroadwayHD Will Record Broadway's PRESENT LAUGHTER, Starring Kevin Kline, Tonight". Broadway World. 23 June 2017.
  20. ^ David Canfield (23 January 2018). "Indecent: Preview the Tony-winning play's BroadwayHD premiere". Entertainment Weekly.
  21. ^ Hetrick, Adam (12 December 2017). "Exclusive: BroadwayHD Films The Portuguese Kid Starring Jason Alexander and Sherie Rene Scott". Playbill.
  22. ^ "MTC's THE PORTUGUESE KID Will Be Released by BroadwayHD". Broadway World. 12 December 2017.
  23. ^ Clement, Olivia (23 March 2018). "Drew Droege to Return to Bright Colors and Bold Patterns for BroadwayHD Filming". Playbill.
  24. ^ McBride Walter (11 April 2018). "Photo Coverage: Go Behind the Scenes as BroadwayHD Films BRIGHT COLORS AND BOLD PATTERNS". Broadway World.
  25. ^ Mark A. Robinson (August 15, 2017). "Where to Watch Broadway Online: The Theater Lover's Guide to Streaming". Broadway Direct.
  26. ^ "The Theater Buff's Guide to Broadway Bingeing". Entertainment Weekly.
  27. ^ "Broadway HD To Celebrate Shakespeare Month This April". Broadway World. March 27, 2018.
  28. ^ "American Theatre Wing Raises $1.2 Million at 2017 Gala". Theater Mania. September 19, 2017.
  29. ^ Andrew Gans (May 18, 2018). "Sutton Foster, Stephanie J. Block, and Andrew Rannells Concerts Available for Streaming on BroadwayHD". Playbill.
  30. ^ Kenji Fujishima (May 18, 2018). "Sutton Foster, Stephanie J. Block, Andrew Rannells Concerts Now on BroadwayHD". Theater Mania.
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