Broadway Up in 2008

The Stage reports that despite a global recession last year's takings on Broadway were up in 2008, compared to 2007.

Commenting on the totals, Charlotte St Martin, executive director of the Broadway League, noted: "Even though the last few months of the year were challenging, these last two weeks encompassing the Christmas and new year's holidays grossed nearly two million dollars more than the same two-week period last year. This reflects that even in tough economic times, theatregoers go to the theatre."

While more shows than usual are closing on Broadway as 2009 dawns, there is a lot of product coming up in the next few months and St Martin is optimistic about 2009. Among the shows set to open on Broadway in 2009 will be Impressions with Jeremy Irons, Blithe Spirit with Angela Lansbury, Waiting for Godot with Nathan Lane, and Mary Stuart with Janet McTeer - the latter a London transfer.