During the nineteenth and early twentieth century, New York's Off Broadway scene consisted of burlesque shows, vaudeville acts and theaters that hosted tours of Broadway shows. It was rare for an original Off Broadway act to hit the lights of Broadway, but it did occur. In 1921, "Shuffle Along," an African-American revue, went from Pff Broadway to premiere, with great success, at the 63rd Street Music Hall.
As Off Broadway theaters began to pop up and gain popularity, their production focus shifted. By the early 1900s, Off Broadway theater groups were filling downtown storefronts and small spaces, but focusing on experimental pieces and dramas as opposed to musicals. It would be a few decades before musicals would have a significant appearance in Off Broadway venues.
The downtown preference for the avant-garde shifted in the 1950s. Soon, many Off Broadway venues were hosting musicals, including the revival "Leave It To Jane," the revue "Greenwich Village USA" and the new full-scale show "Little Mary Sunshine." Off Broadway musicals made history with the opening of "The Fantasticks" in 1960. This simple, romantic musical ran for over 40 years, always Off Broadway.
Some of the more notable Broadway musical hits that had Off Broadway beginnings include "Little Shop of Horrors," "Nunsense," "A Chorus Line," "Godspell," "Rent," "Avenue Q" and "Urinetown." Many dance-oriented musicals have also made this dramatic leap, among them "Bring in Da' Noise, Bring in Da' Funk" and "Stomp."
Part of the surge in Off Broadway's popularity is its changing demographics over its history. While Off Broadway productions used to be restricted to those venues located on streets that intersected with Broadway, the definition came to mean any venue in New York City that has seating for 99 to 500 audience members.