Katie Holmes isn't a big enough draw to fill seats for her Broadway debut, STAR reports.

Katie Holmes isn't a big enough draw to fill seats for her Broadway debut

Presales for tickets to All My Sons — which premieres Oct. 16, with previews beginning Sept. 18 — have been slower that expected. Although some people blame the economy, other Broadway shows — like Mamma Mia — are selling out.

"It did not sell like they had hoped for," a Broadway insider tells Star. "To the theatergoing crowd, generally an older audience, Katie's not a 'name' like Julia Roberts, whose run in Three Days of Rain sold out immediately. Katie hasn't done anything Broadway patrons recognize her for — except maybe marrying Tom Cruise."

In fact, the biggest draw for the play is Katie's costar John Lithgow, who has earned no fewer than five Tony Awards for his work on stage.

"In mailers sent to special members who get great discounts and great seats, they advertised 'Arthur Miller's first great success returns to Broadway starring John Lithgow,'" adds the source. "Katie's name is mentioned later because it was decided putting her name first was of no use. But when Three Days of Rain was marketed, Julia's name was at the top and it worked. The play was crap but everyone bought the tickets."

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