'IT'S THE ECONOMY' Series Features Broadway on First Episode 1/8

The Premiere Episode of the Seven-Part Series Hosted By The New York Times' Andrew Ross Sorkin Airs Thursday, January 8th, 2009.

With the economic downturn deepening, what effect will it have on the arts and culture in New York? The program asked the question and seeks to find the answer.

Andrew Schmertz reports on how Broadway is impacted by the bleak economic times on the premiere episode of It's the Economy, NY: What's Happening and What it Means to You, a new seven-part series from WNET.ORG hosted by New York Times business columnist and editor Andrew Ross Sorkin. The series premieres Thursday, January 8 at 8
p.m. on THIRTEEN and at 11:30 p.m. on WLIW21.

Schmertz speaks with Tom Viertel, producer of Hairspray and Gypsy; Victoria Bailey, president of the Broadway Development Corporation and TXTS; Michael David, producer of Jersey Boys; and Jon Pollard of Pollard Productions to examine the future of New York's theater business.

The report notes that by the end of 2008, more than a dozen shows
either closed or announced they were closing, including Hairspray,
Spamalot, Gypsy, and Young Frankenstein. According to the New York
Times, even Broadway hits live Avenue Q are playing to nearly half-empty theaters.

But Viertel asserts that "Broadway hasn't been hit as hard as other
New York industries." And some shows say they are doing fine.

Watch the full segment Thursday, January 8 at 8 p.m. on THIRTEEN and
at 11:30 p.m. on WLIW21.

It's the Economy, NY, airing consecutive Thursdays at 8 p.m. (except
January 22), will provide regular stories on the affect the bleak
economic times are having on arts and culture in New York.

Already know for its national arts series American Masters, Great
Performances, Dance in America and numerous specials, WNET.ORG and its
broadcast entities THIRTEEN and WLIW21 are also dedicated to covering
New York arts and culture. In addition to SundayArts, THIRTEEN's
weekly arts showcase and news program, recent local productions
include George Packer's Betrayed, Shakespeare on the Hudson and The
Waterfalls - Making Public Art.

For more information visit, www.thirteen.org.

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