By nature, we New Yorkers are not easily impressed. We leave celebrity obsessions to our LA counterparts. When the Brangelinas, TomKats and Robstens walk down the street, we dare not raise our heads for fear of acknowledging their superiority over ours. Perhaps our nonchalance is the reason why so many have become East Coast transplants – a chance to live in quasi-anonymity.

The recent influx of Hollywood onto Broadway has given us a high brow excuse to go to the theatre while covertly allowing us to stare, critique, and - dare we say it? – obsess over the latest tabloid darling.

Below are current productions for your viewing (or gawking) pleasure:

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (drama)
Starring Liev Schreiber and Scarlett Johansson
Written by Arthur Miller
www.aviewfromthebridgeonbroadway.com/

Cort Theater
138 West 48th Street
Opening date: January 24th, 2010
Closing date: April 4th, 2010

Tony Award-winner Liev Schreiber and Golden Globe nominee Scarlett Johansson star in A View From the Bridge, Arthur Miller’s passionate drama set in an Italian American neighborhood under New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. The story follows Eddie Carbone (Schreiber), a married longshoreman obsessed with his 17-year-old niece, Catherine (Johansson). When Catherine falls in love with a newly arrived immigrant, Eddie’s jealousy spirals out of control and ultimately leads to his demise.  This adaptation, directed by Gregory Mosher, runs for fourteen weeks.

SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK (musical)
Starring Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming
Music by Bono and The Edge
www.spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com

Hilton Theatre
213 West 42nd St
Opening Date: TBD

Drawing from over 40 years of Marvel comic books for inspiration, this Spider-Man musical follows the story of teenager Peter Parker (Reeve Carney), whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down — literally — when he’s bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next morning clinging to his bedroom ceiling. This bullied science-geek is suddenly endowed with astonishing powers and soon learns that with great power comes great responsibility.   Along with his girlfriend Mary Jane Watson (Evan Rachel Wood) Spider-Man’s battles will hurtle the audience through a story both recognizable and unexpected – yielding new characters as well as familiar faces like the Green Goblin (Alan Cumming) — until a final surprising confrontation casts a startling new light on this hero’s journey.  The show features music and lyrics by 22-time Grammy Award winners Bono and The Edge of U2, with direction by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor (The Lion King).

TIME STANDS STILL (drama)
Starring Laura Linney and Alicia Silverstone

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (formerly Biltmore)
261 West 47th St
Opening Date: January 28, 2010
Closing Date: March 27, 2010

Laura Linney stars as Sarah Goodwin, a complicated and restless photojournalist who is recovering from injuries sustained while covering the war in Iraq.  Her reporter boyfriend is filled with guilt - having left Iraq prior to her accident. The complications in their relationship unfold as they desperately try to establish normalcy back into their lives. This thoughtful drama by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies also stars Eric Bogosian, Brian d’Arcy James and Alicia Silverstone.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY (musical)
Starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth
http://www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com/

Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
205 West 46th St
Opening date: April 8, 2010

Based on the bizarre and beloved characters created by Charles Addams, this original musical finds the famously macabre Addams Family put to the test when outsiders come to dinner, hurling Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Fester, Grandmama and Lurch headlong into a night that will change the family forever.  The production will be directed and designed by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch, and will star Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth as Gomez and Morticia Adams.

Photo Credit: Vanity Fair