why ill-advised? the appeal (broadly defined) of this configuration (book, cast, production) is not sufficiently broad to drive the traffic a broadway run requires.
don't get me wrong; i wish the reality of broadway's math were different. but i think the producers were deluding themselves by believing this production was going to commercially succeed in this environment.
and, honestly? i think this was pretty obvious from jump to anyone who wasn't unduly influenced by a love of the material, or one of the principals.
"You, sir, are a moron." (PlayItAgain)