Biggest Surprise Closings

[RobbO]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 12:08pm

hey, what productions closed that absolutely surprised you for one reason or another?

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 12:18pm

I was surprised at the length of runs of:

La Cage Aux Folles

and

the revival of Mame

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 12:29pm

Anyone remember an off-Broadway show from 1998 that started at the WPA and transferred called STUPID KIDS?

I saw it's first public performance (at its commercial venue) and thought it would run for YEARS. The theatre wanted it out and used a loophole in the contract to close the show after about two months.

An absolute shame. What a wonderful, exciting night of theatre.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 12:33pm

ahhhh robbiej,,,,,there are many shows that i enjoyed and some that i absolutely loved that bit the dust so very quickly but alas, not too many of them actually surprised me with their closings.

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 12:47pm

I loved Frog & Toad. The theatre was packed. Iwas surprised when it closed

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 6:40pm

i read the Voice review of STUPID KIDS and wanted to get there and see it so bad. i need to order it to read, sounded brilliant. And if i'm not mistaken, featured the future lead of nearly HAIRSPRAY and certainly SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. Carbonelli or whatever his Italian last name is...

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 6:54pm

I was a little surprised that the revival of Into the Woods didn't last a little longer. It wasn't my favorite, but it seemed like a nice family show. Then again, when people can rent the video of the good version, why spend $100.

"The Prince and the Pauper" was really good Off Broadway, and definitely closed too soon. I have a feeling if Rob Evan didn't leave for "Dance of the Vampires" it could have done great when it was up and running again a couple of months after it closed the first time (like it was scheduled to).

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 6:59pm

maybe i should leave this to the QUIBBLER, but i thought both versions of INTO THE WOODS had their "good" points. It'd be nice to have a video of the revival to compare with the earlier one.

Just a moment,
One peculiar passing moment.
Must it all be either less or more,
Either plain or grand?
Is it always 'or'?
Is it never 'and'?
That's what woods are for:
For those moments in the woods...
Oh, if life were made of moments,
Even now and then a bad one--!
But if life were only moments,
Then you'd never know you had one.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:06pm

I'll be very surprised if 42nd Street closes.

I'm also surprised that Cabaret is closing in January. =-(

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:11pm

my dear CHRISTINE, there is a whole 'nother thread about 42nd closing or not. And don't count on CABARET biting any dust unless ASSASSINS really does come in. i think their extensions of closing dates are spin to get free ink and spur "buy it or miss it" tix, but i could be wrong.

[logan30]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:13pm

I assume you means productions that closed too soon. A few come to mind (because I saw them and thought they were very good -- in a couple of cases brilliant):
La Bete (one of the most amazing plays I have ever seen)
Wrong Mountain
Wonderful Tennessee
Sideshow
Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Our Country's Good
This is our Youth
Parade
Four Baboons Adoring the Sun
Homebody: Kabul
Buried Child

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:17pm

Hey TxTwo,

I'm aware that there is another thread about 42nd Street but this thread is about surprise closings and when I heard 42nd Street might be closing soon that surprised me!!

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:17pm

LOL Everytime someone says "Chrisine" I think they're talking to me. I keep forgetting I took my name out of my signature.

Anyway, I know that "The Women" was only a limited run to begin with, but God I loved that play! I wish they would have extended the run.

And I forgot to mention before, but "Hollywood Arms" and "Temporary Help" were two of the greatest plays I have ever seen! They definitely should not have closed so soon. Especially "Hollywood Arms."

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:37pm

Zanna, Don't!

[robyn525600]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:47pm

I wasn't so much surprised as I was saddened that THE CIVIL WAR closed so soon.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:58pm

I'm very surprised to hear Urinetown's closing.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 8:02pm

But that's because of their lease, not because the show is doing poorly. It's a same they can't move to another theater.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 8:24pm

Ditto re: The Civil War

I must also add Superman from the 60's . A truly entertaining show that closed much to soon.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 8:25pm

The Revival and Original each had their good points, but in my opinion, the Revival's outweighed the Originals. The only thing they messed up on with the Revival was the lyrical change in "Our Little World". How do you expect Rapunzel to rebel if she's blissfully singing in a tower? The original lyrics set up for this.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 8:25pm

And they're never coming back, never. Make your peace already.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 8:29pm

Such is life. Life does indeed go on

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 8:41pm

I agree. "Into the Woods" was excellent.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 8:49pm

Parade
Ragtime
Civil War

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:15am

Christine, i'm not trying to harp on you, sorry if i offended. i took the topic to mean shows that closed so early despite being very worthwhile (i.e. it was a surprise that it closed). Not the meaning that "i'm surprised that it's closing". Both Broadway editions of 42nd STREET had long profitable healthy runs. Their eventual closings shouldn't surprise anyone.

On a similar vein, who else thinks that Lord ALW is keeping POTO open just so he can have CATS be the first and POTO the second-longest running shows?!?!? no offense to you POTO lovers, but isn't it time to move on?!?!?

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:26am

Yes, I also was a little shocked to hear Urinetown was closing because there was 0 gossip about it. The news just hit me.