One of the most comprehensive accounts of Broadway history ever assembled is returning to TV on October 7, when New York City’s PBS/Thirteen re-airs Broadway: The American Musical.  The six-part documentary, which debuted on television in 2004, is hosted by beloved musical theater icon Julie Andrews and covers Broadway from 1893 to the present.

In addition to production photos, interviews with theater greats, and excerpts from original Broadway cast recordings, the documentary also contains rare archival footage, newsreels, home movies, diary excerpts and personal correspondence, and notable moments, from the opening night of the groundbreaking Rodgers & Hammerstein classic Oklahoma! to the opening night of today’s hit Wicked.

Dozens and dozens of performers, choreographers, directors, composers, lyricists, bookwriters, producers, and Broadway legends take part in the series, including Carol Channing, Mel Brooks, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Agnes de Mille, Harvey Fierstein, Bob Fosse, Joel Grey, Jerry Herman, John Kander and Fred Ebb, Arthur Laurents, Jerry Orbach, Harold Prince, Jerome Robbins, Stephen Sondheim, Tommy Tune, Ben Vereen, and many more.

Broadway: The American Musical will air each Sunday evening from October 7 through November 11.  Already available on DVD, the series will debut on Blu-ray with extra material on October 16.