There are few industries like ours where our greatest friends can be our fiercest competitors.  It makes for some awkward opening night parties.

But look at what’s happening just a train ride away!

Where else but in the City of Brotherly Love have two competitors found a way to work together and help each other get through these tricky economic times.

The Philadelphia Theatre Company and The Wilma Theater activated their wonder-twin powers yesterday when they announced a “Best Of Broad Street” subscription package (the theatres are across the street from each other) that allows Philadelphians to create a season subscription by choosing two plays from one theatre and two plays from the other.

There used to be a time when people would subscribe to a season for one play/musical/event.  Sort of like going out to dinner, ordering a steak and taking whatever vegetables come along with it.

Not so anymore. People are pickier than ever, and if the whole meal isn’t appetizing, they’re staying at home and having cereal.

Kudos to the boards of these two forward-thinking institutions for crossing the street and meeting on the median.