J.V. Mercanti

As regional theatres continue to deal with shortfalls, news of another closing (Triad Stage) and gap fundraising came to light last week. American Theater Magazine reported on the labor shortages and significantly higher materials costs that scenic and costume shops across the country are dealing with putting further strains on theater budgets.

When new musicals open on Broadway, there are usually years of development behind the scenes that you do not see. That is the case even when the musical is as high profile as the Britney Spears-fueled Once Upon a One More Time--not everything unfolds in public.