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George Abbott: The Broadway Legend You May Not Know

September 9, 2025 @ 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
$5
George Abbott Way

Few names are as central to the story of Broadway as George Abbott, yet many theatergoers today are unfamiliar with him. Abbott’s career spanned nearly nine decades, George Abbottduring which he wore almost every hat possible in the theater—actor, writer, director, and producer. Known as the “Father of the Modern American Musical,” he shaped the look, feel, and pacing of Broadway shows from the 1920s through the 1960s, helping to define what we think of today as the golden age of musical theater.

George Abbott’s fingerprints can be found on an astonishing range of classics. He had a hand in Pal Joey, On the Town, Damn Yankees, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The ForumFrank SInatra and Gene Kelly - On The Town, The Pajama Game, and many others. His uncanny ability to fix troubled productions made him the go-to man when shows were faltering, and his collaborations with younger talents like Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, and Stephen Sondheim influenced generations. At the height of his career, Abbott was as much an institution as the theaters his shows filled, and he remained active well into his 100s.

In this multimedia program, we’ll explore Abbott’s remarkable life, enormous impact on Broadway, and enduring legacy.

You’ll discover why George Abbott was considered the guiding hand of the American musical Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forumtheater through rare photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and many memorable musical clips.

Whether you’re a seasoned Broadway fan or new to the history of the stage, this program will offer an entertaining and enlightening introduction to a man whose work still shapes the musicals we love today.

Note: His impact was so profound that there is a street, George Abbott Way, named for him! It is right in the heart of Times Square!

 

COST
The program is available for a minimum contribution of $5.00, which helps support my work and allows me to continue offering engaging content.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Cash/Check
Payable to: Barry Bradford
Mail to:
Barry Bradford
P.O. Box #177
Deerfield, IL 60015
Please write “Abbott PM” in the subject line.

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(Please note: PayPal deducts 10% of your donation as a fee. I receive $4.50 per $5.00 donation.)

Venmo
Send to: @B-Bradford-1
Please include “Abbott PM” in the note.

Zelle
Use the email address: Barry1776@ATT.NET
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WAIVER OPTION
If you cannot afford to pay or feel my programs aren’t worth $5.00, you are welcome to attend for free or contribute less. Just email me to request a waiver—no questions asked! This one-time request will cover all future programs. I completely understand the challenges of living on a tight budget and offer this compassionately.

REGISTRATION LINK
Click Here to Register

DIDN’T RECEIVE YOUR ZOOM LINK?
If you don’t receive a confirmation email after registering, it means your sign-up wasn’t completed. Be sure to:

  1. Check your spam folder for the confirmation email.
  2. Save the confirmation email once you find it.

If you still can’t locate the email, return to the website and register again. Unfortunately, I cannot manually send you the link, as they are generated directly by Zoom.

 

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