Some 40 theaters are immersed in a sea of light from the theaters' neon signs, each advertising the latest performances; keeping the Broadway mythos alive. In the early years, Broadway began as a leader in the retail sector. The commercial draw is what really sparked growth in the area. The retail venues that lined the street attracted affluent patrons and created a centralized cultural environment over time. It is because of the retail area that Broadway really took off in the early 1900's.However, Broadway theaters were not always located in Manhattan. In fact, the history of musicals and New York City date back to 1750. Thomas Kean and Walter Murray, actor-managers in the area, established a theater company that housed 280 residents. The Revolutionary War abruptly stopped all productions and the theater did not open back up until 1798. Over the course of the next 70 years, New York City would see increasing numbers of theaters becoming established.