The history of theater in New York is captured in the images of the Billy Rose Theatre Division of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. From this valuable archive, author Leonard Jacobs spotlights the evolution of the world’s most storied dramatic community. Reaching from the 1850s to the recent past, these images give insight into the passion and character of the theaters, the performers, and the performances that have made Broadway the iconic cultural capital of theater. With hundreds of images, many never before published, Historic Photos of Broadway provides an intriguing look behind the scenes at the Booths and the Barrymores and every subject from the Alvin Theatre to the Ziegfeld Follies, giving those passionate about theater an irreplaceable glimpse into its humble beginnings and rise to greatness over the last two centuries.

A double bill of films detailing the life of musical comedienne Fanny Brice. In 'Funny Girl', Fanny (Barbra Streisand) is an aspiring star living in New York in the early 1900s. She has the chance to realize her ambition when she meets playboy Nick Arnstein (Omar Sharif), who introduces her to Florenz Ziegfeld (Walter Pidgeon). When Ziegfeld puts Fanny in his Follies, she becomes an instant hit. However, marriage to Nick is not a bed of roses. In the sequel, 'Funny Lady', it is the 1930s, and Fanny is now over Nick. She is due to wed impresario Billy Rose (James Caan), but the union proves to be a tempestuous one. Although Billy provides Fanny with several hit songs, she soon tires of his womanising.