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Can a recession offer opportunities for clever marketers? The Lowell Auditorium in Massachusetts seems to think so: 

The Lowell Auditorium is proud to announce the signing of the Lowell Auditorium Pink Slip Relief Act of 2009. This “legislation” is designed to bring a little cheer, hope, and fun to those who need it most, by giving them free tickets to the most uplifting, funny and enjoyable Tony Award-winning Broadway musical to hit the stage in ages!

In accordance with the Lowell Auditorium Pink Slip Relief Act of 2009 the auditorium will be giving away a limited number of complimentary tickets for the March 29^th presentation of the hit Broadway Musical 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. These tickets will be given away to anyone that has been laid off since the beginning of 2009. To receive a pair of tickets, patrons must visit the auditorium box office in person on Tuesday, March 10^th between 10 am and 4 pm and present the official “pink slip” letter that they received from their former employer (letter must be dated anytime in 2009).

Membership has its privileges? Well, good for the Lowell Auditorium for helping out some struggling people and earning a bit of good press while doing it. But what's this show all about, anyway? 

“Putnam County Spelling Bee offers a perfect light-hearted escape with lots of laughs. We are excited to have the opportunity to give those that need a break from daily stresses an enjoyable night out,” said Lowell Auditorium General Manager Peter Lally. The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is the story of six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.

I believe Losing Doesn't Necessarily Make You A Loser was the second runner-up to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act--a similarly overheated effort that likewise often seems overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves--in the Name the Mega-Stimulus 2009 contest, which makes sense. Because everybody knows what really makes you a loser in the Age of Obama is too much winning. (Or at least not enough losing!) Too bad that isn't a madcap Broadway musical, too.