The Mrs and I used to urge people to see all the flopping shows we always see but they would close early anyway so now we no longer say anything it is not worth it we used to care but no more.
Like others in this thread stated, it's only closing early by a week. It's not like they made an out of the blue announcement that the show is closing this Sunday or anything to that effect.
However, I could understand if it were a commercial run and it was loosing money because very few people were seeing it and they decided to close early due to that. But, with that being said, that's not the case. It's a show that is co produced by two non profits, Manhattan Theatre Club and Steppenwolf. What would the major downside be for having the show run for those last eight performances instead of closing it a week early? As stated earlier I agree that a "cut their losses" thought process would make sense if this were a commercial run, which it's not.
"However, I could understand if it were a commercial run and it was loosing money because very few people were seeing it and they decided to close early due to that. But, with that being said, that's not the case. It's a show that is co produced by two non profits, Manhattan Theatre Club and Steppenwolf. What would the major downside be for having the show run for those last eight performances instead of closing it a week early?"
The final week of every MTC show is an open week--i.e., it's outside of the show's subscription run. On top of that, most shows have extension weeks written into the contract, which they can choose to take or not. What MTC is doing here is choosing to end their run early, at the end of the subscription period, because they don't believe there is sufficient interest to keep the show running once the subscription period is over, even for a week. It's happened before. If I recall correctly, TO BE OR NOT TO BE closed ahead of schedule, and I think THE VIOLET HOUR did too.
This is an example how brilliant ensemble acting and direction can elevate a so-so play into something really wonderful. Every single actor up there was fully invested, and created a fully fleshed out character, many of whom I felt connected with.
and with all the amazing acting, it's still the incredible Julie White that rises a little bit above the rest. She was phenomenal and heartbreaking.
Until tonight I thought Ashford would be taking home the tony for Supporting actress/play. White just won the award in my book. I really hope that she takes home the trophy on Tony night. Her performance will remain in my memory for a very long time.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."