By Melissa Frederick

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - With a focus on staging long runs of Broadway tours, and a budget driven by ticket sales rather than grants or donations, The National Theatre’s unique identity among D.C. playhouses awards it some challenges.

Founded in 1835, the National has the longest-running continuous business operation of any theater in the country.

But because of a lack of successful touring productions coming out of New York this year, it is dark from late March through October, Executive Director Donn Murphy said. . .

The National saw successes and disappointments this season, Murphy said. “Spamalot” was a smash, but its Joan Collins and Linda Evans vehicle “Legends”, and “Doubt,” a nonmusical Broadway play featuring its original star, didn’t drive ticket sales.

“The theater is about the musical,” TicketLiquidator.com Chief Executive Officer Donald Vaccaro said. “Very rarely will a play, even a star-driven play in New York, be a hot ticket.” . . . (Full Story)