HELL’S KITCHEN To Close - Feb 22, 2026

Wow, this is a shock! I thought for sure they'd at least make it through the summer.

But this means the Shubert is now plausibly open for a last-minute entry this season...

anything but gatsby

Which enterprising producer is going to bring in a 16 week limited run of FIRST WIVES CLUB now?

23 previews and 767 regular performances.

$22 million investment was not recouped, but they are 60% of the way there and future productions could push it into profitability, per Paulson.

Honestly,  shocked. I revisited Hell's Kitchen about a week ago and thought it was in a great shape and the audience was very, very enthusiastic. I liked it way more than when I saw it first time almost 2 years ago. I guess it's very expensive to run. 

Re: HK

Good on them for getting as much mileage out of this show as they possibly could. They could’ve folded way back, but held on. The cast had also been going through it lately with many illnesses and also a large amount of cast injuries, so maybe they’ll finally have time to rest and heal.

Part of me also thinks they weren’t able to get additional people to stunt cast in some of the major roles. I can’t imagine Miss Liza Jane is anything less than daunting for even the most seasoned performer (which is a testament to how easy Kecia made it look)

Prada and Beaches in the same season feels like too much of the same general sub-genre (understanding that one is edgy-ish comedy, one a tearjerker-ish; both have chick-lit-like origin stories) for the same target audience. I'm reminded of Smash on the boards with Death Becomes Her.  Yes, I know these show can be pulled apart and viewed differently from one another. Yet they seek the same general audience. By Tony time, clips made the 2 shows looked very similar in tone and as send-ups of actresses.  

Updated On: 1/15/26 at 12:02 PM

Might Benjamin Button try and swoop in? Can only imagine Hell's Kitchen is closing because something else wants the Shubert for the Spring.

For this quick turnaround- if the intention is to open before the late April Tony cutoff- it has to be something that is basically ready to go now because rehearsals would realistically need to start next month. 

It's really late for a new musical unless plans have already been in the works. For a new show to get everything in place in a couple of months is almost impossible these days. 

It will be interesting to see what happens. 

quizking101 said: "BoringBoredBoard40 said: "my money is on Mexodus which has been teasing an announcement"

A two person, live-looped, critically acclaimed, but still relatively niche musical in a 1502 seat theatre with three levels?

I love MEXODUS as much as the next person, but you must have money you can just light on fire with a bet like that."

Titanique is playing the St James i think all logic is out the window right now, it would clearly be an awards play if anything