Today, Playbill, the leading outlet for theatre goers, in partnership with Situation, a digital-first marketing agency, announces the launch of The Broadway Applause Series. This exciting new series, a first of its kind for Playbill, is a celebration and appreciation of the artistry, craft, and audience behind the shows currently open on Broadway.

Every show has an audience, so each entry will be dedicated to highlighting the most interesting and exciting aspects of each production to help audiences understand and find which shows are in their personal wheelhouse.

READ: The Broadway Applause Series Salutes Wicked

Playbill and Situation have worked with theatre enthusiast Ayanna Prescod to launch this series and will work in tandem with a small team of up-and-coming theatre writers who all have a deep appreciation and understanding of theatre and its ability to move and excite people. It is no small feat to produce and build a Broadway show—the theatre costs, production expenses, production staff, designers, marketing team, actors and stage managers, not to mention all of the time and energy invested in each show. This column is not a review nor criticism, rather every piece is designed to foster enthusiasm and help encourage audiences and theatre fans to be more responsive and appreciative of what they see, hear, and experience on stage.

Broadway is home to 41 theatres that host a variety of shows—musicals, plays, and other special events. These productions include some of the best entertainment in the world that are raved about for years on end. Every show has its stand-out attributes: clever direction, an unforgettable song, a captivating plot, and/or thoughtful design elements. The purpose of The Broadway Applause Series is to hone into these outstanding features and celebrate the artists behind them. With audiences making their way back to the theatre after being separated for over a year due to COVID-19, it is time to honor all who contribute to making Broadway what it is. The Broadway Applause Series encourages theatre goers to read what critics are saying about each production; we also want to assure this column salutes everyone who is doing a great job keeping theatre open, audience members engaged, and fans eager to return.