AceShowbiz - Matthew Broderick fears for the future of theater, revealing struggling ticket sales are threatening to stop his latest play from transferring to Broadway.

The actor is one of America's most successful theater stars, with two Tony Awards to his name - one for his hugely successful Broadway run in the musical "The Producers". But he insists the recession has hit New York's famous theater district so hard, only well-known productions with big-name casts are surviving.

Broderick's latest play, "The Starry Messenger", is currently enjoying a run at Off-Broadway's The New Group theater, and was expected to switch to a bigger venue. But the actor reveals those plans are on the brink of collapse, as the theater industry fights a dangerous drop in ticket sales.

He tells the New York Post, "Our play got really good reviews, and we're having trouble moving to Broadway. I don't think we will. I guess people want a really sure bet when they spend money on a ticket. With limited funds around, I guess they'll say, 'I'll see Phantom (of the Opera)'."