QUICK TAKES - May 29, 2009

Even during a recession, Broadway managed to hold its own.

Grosses for plays and musicals during the 2008-09 season were a bit higher than the previous year. That set a new record, although attendance slipped during the 52-week period.

The Broadway League, an industry trade association, says the season’s 43 shows grossed about $943.3 million, compared with $937.5 million the year before. It was the highest number of new productions since 50 opened during the 1982-83 season. Attendance was 12.15 million, compared with 12.27 million during the 2007-08 season.