Theater

Hope for a Brighter Future on a Darker Broadway

James Estrin/The New York Times

The cast of the musical “Hairspray” taking a bow at the Neil Simon Theater. The show was among nine Broadway productions that closed on Sunday night.

There is a sense of heavy reckoning on Broadway after nine productions closed on Sunday night.

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Broadway Grosses Rose in 2008

An up-and-down year for Broadway ended with at least one high note, as overall grosses for 2008 were slightly higher than in 2007.

‘Pal Joey’ Extends

The Roundabout Theater Company has extended its limited-run production of “Pal Joey” by two weeks, the company announced.

Beijing to Get a Broadway of Its Own

A $686 million construction project will bring a 32-theater complex to Beijing, where imports of Western musicals and other shows will play year-round.

Fringe Festival Copes With Financial Crunch

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe may be forced to shut down its popular Fringe Sunday event because of a funding shortage.

Big Finales, All Together Now: A Month of Broadway Closings

More than a dozen plays and musicals — almost half of the current lineup — will close by the end of the month.

Pat Hingle, Versatile Actor With Recurring Role in Batman Movies, Dies at 84

Mr. Hingle was a versatile character actor of stage and screen who became accustomed to winning critical praise in a career that spanned five decades.

Doesn’t Speak Norwegian. Does Speak Ibsen.

Christopher Shinn has adapted one of Ibsen’s most popular works, “Hedda Gabler,” for a new production starring Mary-Louise Parker.

• Slide Show | Times Topics: Christopher Shinn

The Man Who Knows Which R’s to Roll

Stephen Gabis, a dialect coach, talks about perfecting accents, staging Synge and growing up on Sid Caesar.