SIGNS OF LIFE ON BROADWAY

The Broadway musical theater, after at least two--and some here would say several--seasons in the doldrums, has begun to show movement in the new theatrical year.

The first musical of the season, “Me and My Girl,” opened here to rave reviews Aug. 10 after a successful Los Angeles tryout, and over the past week reached a near-record total of more than $1 million in ticket sales. And the season’s second show, “Rags,” after officially closing last Saturday night, may get a second chance on Broadway.

The producers of “Rags,” a musical about Jewish immigration in America, announced Monday that the Mark Hellinger box office will remain open for ticket sales for performances after Sept. 12.

The musical, reportedly budgeted at nearly $6 million, opened last Thursday to mostly negative reviews and closed Saturday after only four performances. But the producers said they would try to raise additional money to keep the show running four to six weeks “and let the public make up its own mind,” with the help of advertising and TV commercials.

The movement to keep the musical open began to build at last Saturday’s matinee when a cast member, Lonny Price, appealed to the audience to march down Broadway to demonstrate support. About 1,000 people marched to the Times Square TKTS booth, where half-price tickets to Broadway shows are sold, and as a result, Saturday night’s scheduled closing performance was sold out.