A record number of Broadway shows are closing in New York city due to the gloomy economy. But twenty new shows will be there to take their place.

The remnants of Broadway's "Young Frankenstein" were hauled out of the theatre last week after the production had its final showing. It's just one of the 16 shows on the Great White Way that will be dimming its lights and saying its adieus in the next few months.

Among the productions that are closing soon are: "Spamalot", a Monty Python musical that won three Tony Awards after premiering in 2005; "Spring Awakening" which picked up eight Tonys and "Equus", a revival of a play starring Daniel Radcliffe of "Harry Potter" fame.

A couple of the shows that are shutting down are seasonal like "Slava's Snow Show" and "White Christmas" and others are closing as planned because they were limited runs. But productions like "Young Frankenstein" and "Gypsy", were closed earlier than planned because of the uncertainty in the economy.

Actors and producers are also concerned about whether audiences will be willing to pay about 230 dollars (USD) for a pair of Broadway tickets as the economy continues to flutter in the doldrums. But the Broadway League, a trade association for commercial theatre, is optimistic that Broadway's lights will continue to glitter in 2009.

(CCTV January 15, 2009)