Break a leg… and action. Two of the biggest staples of entertainment are Broadway and Hollywood. Both create a type of entertainment: theater production or television and film.
Although they both live in the realm of entertainment, there are key differences between the two prominent locations.
Broadway refers to a street in New York City that’s full of various theaters. Audiences can catch live performances through straight plays with dialogue or musicals. Broadway has become an umbrella term that refers to all theatrical performances, and typically, when referring to theatrical entertainment, fans refer to it as Broadway or Broadway culture.
Hollywood, on the other hand, has also become an umbrella term for a type of performance and culture, including film, television, music and much more. Hollywood turns out big, blockbuster films that can range from any genre and, similarly to Broadway, can be musical films as well.
The biggest difference between Broadway and Hollywood isn’t forum, but decorum. The way the professionals who are in each location for the entertainment business conduct themselves, and the reputation each location has acquired.
Hollywood has pretty much become synonymous with scandal. With divorce, drugs, sexual assault and endless feuds, it always seems to end up in the news with some sort of new scandal that rocks everyone’s worlds, sometimes for a week, or sometimes for a lifetime. For example, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth just filed for divorce after over a decade of an off-and-on relationship, and the divorce has received a lot of press attention.
When looking for a much friendlier entertainment forum, that’s where Broadway comes in. Sure, every close-knit group of actors, technicians or producers has its drama. It’s almost impossible for the average person not to feud, let alone a group of people with that type of stardom and togetherness. It’s even more impossible, however, to find Broadway scandals. Hardly anyone in the Broadway circuit is caught in a scandal, unless it’s something petty like a love triangle or performance-based issues.
Many Hollywood actors, however, tend to see any press is good press. Broadway strives for excellence and to keep out of the tabloids. Although some celebrities try to keep their names out of the press, many are still subject to its scrutiny. For example, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are stronger than ever in their relationship, and yet are still rumored to be leaving each other in the press. The couple quickly disbanded the rumor, but there was no purpose for the rumor to start in the first place.
Whether or not Hollywood is more popular than Broadway because of media coverage is up for debate, but what isn’t up for debate is that the two have different audiences. The theater is typically a place for people to be accepting and appreciated no matter what their race, sexual orientation, religion or any other identifiable factor, but they all have a shared love for theater.
The Hollywood audience is more widespread and ranges from all different kinds of people who have nothing in common. Broadway, however, requires people who adore theater. Hollywood productions are appreciated by almost everyone, but not because of one specific production type bringing everyone together.
Broadway has higher standard of what the end-product looks like, their reputation and audience culture. Although Hollywood does create brilliant television shows and movies, it doesn’t always keep the high standard Broadway does. Both are revered by audiences, however, and that is the only similarity that matters.
Riley Runnells is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you agree? Let Riley know by emailing her at rr855317@ohio.edu.
