AIN'T TOO PROUD To Close on January 16, 2022

Performances resume tonight at the Imperial following its COVID pause. You have three weeks left to see it on Broadway, as the national tour continues performances in the meantime.

At least we will still have MJ to bridge the gap between this closing and the new Four Tops musical coming to Broadway.

Updated On: 12/28/21 at 11:17 AM

I had thought this one had a glimmer of hope to hang on for the spring tourists, but my “spring tourism” optimism has once again been proven misplaced. I am glad I saw it. Seeing Jeremy Pope just days after seeing him in “Choir Boy” was one of those moments that serve as a reminder of the depth of talent we are lucky enough to witness.

I wonder if any of the Broadway Cast will join the tour to bolster the tour cast amid illness.

Jordan Levinson said: "Performances resume tonight at the Imperial following its COVID pause. You have three weeks left to see it on Broadway, as the national tour continues performances in the meantime.

At least we will still haveMJto bridge the gap between this closing and the new Four Tops musical coming to Broadway.

"

I think that the focus on MJ: The Musical was a factor in the closure. The lack of info on earnings is pretty frustrating, but I have a feeling that the costs of maintaining Ain't Too Proud ATM were too much to wait for things to get better over Spring. It's just a shame that one of the few hits of the 2018-19 season has fallen to the point it closes with less than 3 weeks notice...

I wonder what the Imperial will have next...

HogansHero said: "It is normal that shows that don't have any meaningful advance close after the holidays end. ATP has no advance. We don't need to see the grosses to tell that. Pick any date in the next month and see how few tickets have been sold. There was never a chance this show was going to make it and there are a bunch of others for which that is true, and we will see "surprise" announcements about them shortly.

Now on top of what's normal, we have covid, which will obviously further reduce audiences, and that's even assuming that, by some miracle, shows can get the positive case game under control. (I don't think they can, especially as we have yet to hit the peak of omicron.) This has many producers scared to death right now. As I have said repeatedly, some shows will close because they have no choice and we will look back on this with tremendous sorrow in the future. It didn't have to be this way, and it is only this way because of abject greed mixed with a callous attitude toward worker safety. This is the most shameful moment in the history of Broadway during our lifetimes.

"

From my sheltered POV in Britain, I thought Broadway was doing a lot better with its vaccine mandates and tighter audience restrictions, but it seems I may have been wrong. Discounting limited run musicals (which could end up closing early anyway) a good number of medium budget musicals are doomed - the prospect of Hadestown (the last 2018-19 musical left standing) getting struck down is particularly terrifying...

BritCrit said: "From my sheltered POV in Britain, I thought Broadway was doing a lot better with its vaccine mandates and tighter audience restrictions, but it seems I may have been wrong. "

The issue is not audiences, which are entirely vaxxed and masked. The issue is that unmasked performers have no shield from breakthrough infections. Reduced audiences are a function of the hesitancy of some to attend notwithstanding and, just as much it seems, an unwillingness to travel (even short distances) with so many performances being cancelled without adequate notice. Moreover, air travel is in a state of chaos and so some who might be willing to take the risks of a show cancellation are not willing to get stuck in transit.

unclevictor said: "One by one they all fall down. This is just the beginning.
it’s a shame"

True, Tina is next

Has there been any discussion of attempting to perform masked? At very least for the ensemble? I know that makes singing really tough. SIX could probably pull it off, whereas something like MRS. DOUBTFIRE with all its quick changes could not.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Has there been any discussion of attempting to perform masked? At very least for the ensemble? I know that makes singing really tough. SIX could probably pull it off, whereas something like MRS. DOUBTFIRE with all its quick changes could not."

I’ve wondered this too. But then I thought how will the microphones be able to pick up dialogue and singing through a mask? It could be muffled

I can't see a scenario where masking principal roles would work, ensemble roles maybe. People are paying to see acting as well, which involves being able to see facial reactions.

Consistency said: ""Well the problem with masking is that it doesn’t work."

Well, actually...

Study after study has shown that masks are quite effective at preventing the spread of diseases like COVID. They're not 100% effective, mind you - but they're a lot better than nothing.

"In part because the virus is air borne and any exposure of air could pass on."

Except... The virus is transmitted through water droplets, not just "air." And even a basic cloth mask does a pretty good job of reducing the amount of saliva you're exhaling into the air.

"Also the amount of oxygen required for a singer or actor is more than someone not in motion. There without a doubt be adverse health events"

People have run marathons and participated in other athletic events while wearing masks. Doctors and nurses have worked 12+ hour shifts in masks. No denying that acting can be physically rigorous, but actors absolutely could perform while wearing masks without adverse health effects. It may not be a good idea for other reasons, but "it's dangerous to their health" isn't one of those reasons."

All I will say. Do yourself a favor. Go outside when it’s freezing. wear a mask, wear two. Wear three. wear however many you want. If you can see exhaust that’s waterdroplets. It is not sealed. The cloth masks for this virus. Are completely useless in terms of risk vs reward. They have published studies from John Hopkins, Israel, Sweden and elsewhere. Studies have also dispelled that this virus can really be caught on surfaces. The recommendation is still n95. And even that is being reviewed.


All this being said I support whatever individuals choose best for them. My one cousin is an epidemiologist here. As well as the family of medical field people. My best friend is a oncologist working with cancer patients on a similar therapy. I’m just passing on their experiences. Two family members said at Christmas they can’t believe the influx of children with clots and breathing issues in the resent months. The hospitals here are between 70 and 80 full of vaxed patients.


but like I’m saying just what I’m being told from these individuals.

Theatrefanboy1 said: "unclevictor said: "Robbie2 said: "unclevictor said: "One by one they all fall down. This is just the beginning.
it’s a shame"

True, Tina is next"

I actually forgot Tina was open.

why do u think they’ll be the next to close?"

Well. I have a friend in the show. We talked almost two weeks ago. They said that with the covid shutdown and lack of ticket sales into the winter. It was apparently the nail in the coffin. Plus when Adrienne left there was a noticeable drop. They said the closure for Christmas really just marked it. Though they had said there was supposed to be an announcement this week and we are Tuesday and nothing so. Who knows."

Wow ok - maybe they’ll announce on Sunday? Time will tell.

Maybe the Imperial will get Sing Street. if Tina’s cancellation announcement is imminent, then the Lunt-Fontanne could be another ideal choice for it.