Louis Botto (1924–2012)

Very comprehensive look at all of the Broadway theaters up until the end of the century. More a listing of shows and stars than stories.

While the selection of which Broadway theaters to include seems a bit arbitrary (only theaters that were built for that purpose or that of a movie house), for those it does include, it provides a comprehensive history in terms of ownership, architecture and show schedule. Because it does not include every Broadway house and omits some less-notable ventures in those it does cover, you won't find every Broadway show here. Includes lots of pictures, both production photos and Playbill covers.

I picked this book up mostly as a "coffee table" book, which I thought I would only page through now and then. It is a wonderful book with a lot of interesting information about the transformations and incarnations of the theaters at Broadway, giving information about various shows that were at these theaters as well as miscellaneous theater information. I love having it around, even if it isn't the type of book I'd naturally just sit and read straight through.