By: Vickie J. Rubinson
With many theaters dark, Broadway is depending heavily on star vehicles. Will Ferrell's show "You're Welcome America: A Final Night With George W. Bush" runs from January 20 to March 15.
Other actors are taking on the classics. Tony-winner Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), will be starring in Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler." In the Spring, "Producers" star Nathan Lane tries the existential clownery of Beckett's "Waiting for Godot," while Mathew Broderick stars in "The Philanthropist."
According to The Wall Street Journal, Broadway faces an uphill battle this year. New productions striving to become the next "Wicked," must struggle with costly union agreements, theater rentals and intricate stagecraft. In this economy, investors tend to shy away.
This month alone three Tony winners for Best Musical- "Monty Python's Spamalot," "Hairspray," and "Spring Awakening"--as well as "Young Frankenstein" and "Grease" are shutting down.
"Everybody's nervous and cautious, no one really know what's going to happen," says Rob Greenblatt, president of entertainment at Showtime.
"Typically when there's a downturn in the economy, the entertainment side of culture flourishes--the question is at what cost?"
With many theaters dark, Broadway is depending heavily on star vehicles. Will Ferrell's show "You're Welcome America: A Final Night With George W. Bush" runs from January 20 to March 15.
Other actors are taking on the classics. Tony-winner Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), will be starring in Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler." In the Spring, "Producers" star Nathan Lane tries the existential clownery of Beckett's "Waiting for Godot," while Mathew Broderick stars in "The Philanthropist."
According to The Wall Street Journal, Broadway faces an uphill battle this year. New productions striving to become the next "Wicked," must struggle with costly union agreements, theater rentals and intricate stagecraft. In this economy, investors tend to shy away.
This month alone three Tony winners for Best Musical- "Monty Python's Spamalot," "Hairspray," and "Spring Awakening"--as well as "Young Frankenstein" and "Grease" are shutting down.
"Everybody's nervous and cautious, no one really know what's going to happen," says Rob Greenblatt, president of entertainment at Showtime.
"Typically when there's a downturn in the economy, the entertainment side of culture flourishes--the question is at what cost?"
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