Nine Broadway Shows Shutter In Hard Economy

The final curtain fell Sunday on nine Broadway shows, including the Tony Award-winning hit musical "Hairspray." "Miracles like 'Hairspray' don't happen every day," said Harvey Fierstein, who returned to reprise the gender-bender role of Edna Turnblad he originated and spoke from the stage at the show's final performance. Popular shows like "Young Frankenstein" and "Grease" also closed, as did seasonal offerings including "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" and Liza Minnelli's limited run at the Palace Theater. As fewer tourists visit New York City, Broadway has seen a dip in ticket sales. While shows often close after the holiday season, this year's closing is "among the biggest in memory," says the New York Daily News.