Final answer:
The boom in special events in the 1980s was the rise of the megamusical phenomenon on Broadway, with shows like Cats and Les Miserables becoming huge commercial successes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The boom in special events in the 1980s was the rise of the megamusical phenomenon on Broadway. Musicals like Cats, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Lion King became huge commercial successes, grossing billions of dollars. These blockbuster extravaganza productions became the driving force for Broadway in the 1980s.