8 shows opened on Broadway in the 1780s.

The Contrast, by Royall Tyler, opened April 16, 1787 at John Street Theatre and ran 4 performances, the longest run to open in the 1780s.

The years

1780	0 openings
1781	0 openings
1782	0 openings
1783	0 openings
1784	0 openings
1785	1 opening
1786	2 openings
1787	3 openings · The Contrast opened, ran 4 performances
1788	0 openings
1789	2 openings · The Father opened, ran 4 performances