FOR COLORED GIRLS to close on May 22, 2022

Tragic - this was one of my major highlights of the season and it deserves to be recognized. Maybe a few Tony nods might extend them at least until Tony Night?

https://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/acclaimed-broadway-revival-of-for-colored-girls_93739.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=03may2022&fbclid=IwAR1IHftwExZqg9gn9b1Afv9h0FceHqIEVY96Zm7Tgmul-DcbTDRdWVtcxYA

A shame. Feels like this took forever to actually happen and then to have it bomb out.

This is kind of a weird, grasping-at-straws interview with the producers in the NYT:

“Our numbers were much lower than those rave reviews would justify,” said Nelle Nugent, one of the play’s lead producers. “There are so many choices this season, which is very exciting, but there’s a lot of inventory, and the shows with major stars are doing better. I think there’s also a confusion in the public’s mind about safety.”

In a joint interview, Nugent and Ron Simons, also a lead producer, attributed the closing to a number of factors, including not only the high volume of shows opening on Broadway this spring and the lingering effects of the pandemic, but also a delay in the announcement of Tony nominations, the presence of scaffolding around their theater, and misunderstandings about what their show is.

“There is a slight dampening effect for us because of the title — when you read ‘suicide,’ people think it’s going to be a somber play, and not enjoyable,” Simons said. “But it’s not just a play that deals with dark subjects. The show ends on a high note of celebration.”


1) Shows that mass groups of audiences actually want to pay full-price to see are having no trouble filling seats. I'm really not sure that inventory is as much of a factor as some people are saying; this is a show that would have done just as poorly without so much competition. It didn't even sell out every performance at the Public (where it had a different director), right?? Has ANY play from the 70s-90s been revived commercially without major stars in this decade and recouped?? I can’t think of any examples. And I don't think safety –– whether that's a reference to COVID or crime –– is significant.

2) There's no world in which the Tony nominations would have moved the needle significantly enough for many weeks on a show that's selling this badly.

3) The scaffolding comment is kinda hilarious. Everyone complains about not being able to find the Cort, too –– until Larry David or Denzel Washington sell it out.

4) Use your persuasive powers with the estates to change the title of the play to "for colored girls" like the movie if you're so concerned about the mention of "suicide." Additionally, the advertising artwork was quite artful, beautiful to look at, but it tells me nothing about the show itself.

Updated On: 5/3/22 at 05:52 PM

Broadway is too crowded right now. Something had to give (and I think a few more still will).

Some of my favorite theatrical experiences were when I went to a show, and the majority of the audience looked liked my people. I saw this a couple weeks ago and while it wasn’t my favorite I’ve ever seen, it felt good to be surrounded by black people on broadway.

I’m really hoping they get a Best Revival nomination.

The production value definitely was giving “indie show in Brooklyn” vibes. There were some parts that felt veeeeeeryyyyy slow. Still, beautiful performances by the ladies.

YvanEhtNioj said: "Some of my favorite theatrical experiences were when I went to a show, and the majority of the audience looked liked my people. I saw this a couple weeks ago and while it wasn’t my favorite I’ve ever seen, it felt good to be surrounded by black people on broadway.

I’m really hoping they get a Best Revival nomination."

Love that, but even you didn't like it so how would a mainstream Broadway audience? I didn't see it, but loved the ad campaign, but there's no way even in not these times that this would make money.

for a show without stars to sell, it has to become *an event*. And whether it was the budget, or the marketing plan, this just didn't, at all.

Despite the quality. And yes, I had quibbles. But it was still worthy of completing a healthy run.

I’m not surprised at this news. After seeing it, I hoped it would last, but knew it would have a very tough time.

The NYT review made me appreciate it more and gave me a new perspective — the show isn’t for me, a Black male. It is truly specifically for Black women. It’s not asking anyone outside of that to find a way in. Personally, that actually made me like it more.

I also will join in saying that the key art was underwhelming and not enticing.

And I also think the other reasons the producers gave were valid. The scaffolding is truly a mess; the theater basically disappears behind it. And unlike POTUS, who put great signage on the scaffolding all the way down to the Broadhurst, I suspect COLORED GIRLS didn’t have the resources to dress it up as much. This was a valid problem imho.

Also, I do think COVID is keeping MANY folks away from the theater right now. From the vaxx checks to the masks, no concessions and the distracting/annoying/extra COVID police in the theater — it is a weird experience many of us on the board have grown accustomed to. But this weeds out the casual theater goer, easily.

And before y’all come for me talking about, “But the CAPACITY! But the GROSSES!” Until I can’t randomly walk up to the box office and buy a ticket to ANY show I want (which has been a joy for me and many during this time) Broadway is not truly back. A hit, unfortunately, equates to lack of access or a waiting period, as long as the seats in a Broadway theater are finite. I think once all the theaters drop mask and vaxx mandates, give it a few months and things will be ridiculous again.

So yes, I think all the excuses for the early closing are very valid.

YvanEhtNioj said: "Yeah I agree. There were some parts that just kinda dragged, but when it was good it was really good. This was never the type of show I imagined people flocking too, but I’m surprised it’s closing so early"

I saw it at the Public and quite enjoyed it. I have to admit that I was under the weather that day and felt a little drowsy. I got lost in the beginning.



I have a ticket to see it again later this month. Hopefully the extension will be confirmed soon!!

Updated On: 5/10/22 at 12:23 PM