Broadway Blog - The "Experience Economy"

The New York Times is reporting on the results of a recent New York Times / CBS News Poll which says that nearly half of Americans are spending less time buying non-essential goods, spending less money in stores and less money online, all as results of the "Great Recession". 

What they are doing more of though, is spending more time taking part in organizational, cultural, civic and religious activities with movie attendance up, and as another tell-tale sign, museum and cultural attendance (which dropped from 2002 to 2008) being up as well. 

People are simply spending more time and money on doing things together. 

What fits perfectly into these new economic categories of cultural activities and shared experiences? Theatre of course. 

We're going to see a lot more discounting in both January and beyond in the Theatre World as the economic recovery continues, which is a good thing for audiences looking to cram more shows into their overbooked schedules and wallets. 

On my 2010 to do list, and as BroadwayWorld.com continues to expand its coverage of all things theatrical is to see even more theatre and to see even more off the traditional Broadway path as well. There's lots of great theatre on tap and 2010's shaping up to be a great year for the arts as well. 

Here's to a great ride ahead!