Journeys End MAY close early--SAVE THIS SHOW

[SCBWannabe]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 3:24pm

From Stark Sands official website:
As you may know, I have been doing a play on Broadway for the past few months called Journey's End. I told many of you I would let you know if I heard anything about the play closing prematurely. Well, our executive producer Bill Haber called an impromptu cast meeting after the show last night, to congratulate us on having the best reviewed show on Broadway, but also to let us know that the way ticket sales look now, he doesn't see the show lasting the whole run. Specifically, he said that we would definitely make it to the end of March, but he "doesn't see it lasting until May..." He also gave us his word that we would get 2 weeks notice. So I'm not sure if that means it will end in mid-April or what-- apparently all the nominations come out in April, which could give us a second wind, but you never know.
So I guess this was our early warning. I will also send out an email when I get that official 2-week notice. Just wanted everyone to know what I know, when I know it. Hope everyone is well, and if any of you are coming out to NY and want to get tickets, get ahold of me and I will help.
Much love,
Stark

I hope this isn't true. I loved the show and hope to see it a second time.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 3:26pm

Of course. The best show on Broadway in recent memory and they can't even give tickets away, while far inferior shows are playing to SRO crowds. Ridiculous.

Please keep this show alive.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 3:30pm

There is nothing any of us can do to save a show.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 3:30pm

Agree--- This show MUST be seen !!!

[sidjones09]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 3:31pm

This is horrible news. It's the most powerful piece of theatre I have seen this season HANDS DOWN, and definitely in my top 3 of all time.

PLEASE go see this everybody. You'll be sorry you didn't.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 3:33pm

I dont know, I think the play was admirable, but I thought TRANSLATIONS was a much better revival. And according to the Variety Critics tally, a better reviewed show as well.

And I'm sorry he is mistaken about TONY nominations, but they don't come out till Mid-May and the cutoff date is May 9th.
Updated On: 3/20/07 at 03:33 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 3:42pm

This show is STUNNING. LaCageAuxFollesFan, nobody is comparing it to any other show. We're speaking about this show, on its own merit. TRANSLATIONS is closed. JOURNEY'S END is a breathtaking play and this production is top notch. Please see this show, everyone! You will not regret it.

[wishinguweresomehow]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 3:47pm

This show was so moving! I would hate to see it close early!!!

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 4:06pm

I guess I should go buy some tickets now, huh? (I had been planning on waiting until the end of June)

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 4:15pm

That's awful news. It's truly an amazing show. I've been twice and will be going tomorrow again. I was planning on buying tickets for a friend for an upcoming celebration - better make it sooner than later, I guess.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 4:42pm

I had hoped to see this play on my next trip to NYC because of John Behlmann. He graduated from the NTC (National Theatre Conservatory) here in Denver last year and is making his Broadway Debut in Journey's End. I saw him onstage here during his Senior year and he is very good.

[NJgirl]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:31pm

Such a sad note from Stark. I LOVED this production and found it extremely moving. I guess I really need to go back and see it again before it closes. Let's hope it can stick it out and hang on until Tony time and get a much deserved boost.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:35pm

Journey's End now joins the list shows with great reviews that will have failed miserably because of publicity/PR problems.

Get Hugh Dancy on Regis and Kelly or Letterman. Get Boyd Gaines or Stark Sands on The View.

Drum up some buzz about the show. That's all these PR people have to do. They failed Journey's End the same way other PR people failed Jay Johnson.

[AnnaLouise1986]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:52pm

You'd think the same production company that made The History Boys a hit couldn't do the same with a truly dignified play. Not that I'm comparing it to History, that's not the point I'm making, I'm just saying that Journey's has really gotten the short end of the stick. I couldn't be more disappointed for the cast and crew of this show. However, I can't help but think that with promotion, this production could gain legs and survive til May. Because of my love for the show (and wanting to see it survive; I'm just glad I'm going to be able to see it in a week), I hate to see it passed off so quickly.

[GoSmileLaughCryClap]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:54pm

Sometimes the pervading mood of the country has an unusual positive or negative impact on the popularity of plays and musicals on Broadway. I remember reading that when Annie opened, the fact that the there was a recession, and overall economic gloom made a fairy tale story of a billionaire adopting an orphan irresistible for audiences.

Now we are in the midst of an extremely unpopular war; one that most people feel has diminished our reputation around the world. Perhaps the themes of Journey's End and its subject matter are keeping war fatigued theatergoers away.

I'm not a social scientist, but I bet the mood of the moment is working against the play

Updated On: 3/20/07 at 05:54 PM

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:58pm

This was the best thing I've seen all season - I'd be sad to see it go.

[sarbear2]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:11pm

If I were any closer to New York, I'd be there in a heartbeat. To be less-than-eloquent, this sucks.

[SCBWannabe]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:22pm

Munk: We can buy tickets and try to get others to see the show by spreading the word. I didn't mean start a petition like the Lestat fans did for a cast recording :)

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 7:52pm

I will make a point of buying tickets asap - I am interested in World War ! and this looks very touching.

[Sylar2]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 7:54pm

Sorry- can't help ya on this one- I was BORED to tears and they nearly busted my eardrums with the overuse of the bomb sound effect at the end.

2 hours in a dark theatre watching a depressing show mostly lit by candles isn't an easy thing to endure. The performances are excellent but the story isn't that enthralling.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 7:56pm

Proof that with rare exceptiond serious drama is a tough sell on Broadway

If this had a star or two , the box office would be better

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 7:58pm

Man. This almost makes me want to fly to NY for a couple of days next week to see it. Emo tears!!!

[Sylar2]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 8:10pm

Save your money.

[whatever2]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 8:41pm

imho, yankeefan has it right -- lots of potential explanations for trouble here, but at the end of the day: where is the marketing? get these actors out there on the hustings!!!

my fear is that coram boy (which has yet to open, and which hence ive obviously not yet seen) faces a similar fate. so far, the marketing has been AWOL.

if the schlock can market itself, the quality has to play the same game. people cant experience what they dont know about ...

these boards preach to the choir -- sell it to ho-ho-kus, people!

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 8:49pm

Pardon my cynicsm, but I find it mildly ironic that a site whose members pride themselves on finding ways of getting tickets dirt cheap or free should suddenly be saying we need to save a financially troubled show. Who's gonna pay the bills if you're not?