Broadway refuses to die + the cast of Hair gets naked

Some good news in these rough and ragged times (especially for all you showmos out there): The New York Times is reporting that while the recession threatens to smite anything in its path, Broadway refuses to roll over and die.

43 productions are on track to open during the 2008-2009 season, a number that The NYT notes is "unusually high... at any time, but especially during a recession... by comparison, 36 shows opened during the 2007-8 season and 35 the year before." What's more, no major production has failed to open due to economic concerns or troubles thus far.

Among the shows taking the stage this spring are a new incarnation of the beloved classic West Side Story, The Laramie Project scribe Moise Kaufman's 33 Variations starring Jane Fonda, Blithe Spirit starring Angela Lansbury and Rupert Everett, and Hair.

Time Out New York was kind enough to gather the stars of Hair together in a bar, strip them down, and offer us a slideshow of the comely cast shot cheek to cheek (and butt cheek to butt cheek). Check them out here and then get your tickets (recession be damned!) here.

Previously > In The Stew