Never Officially Opened

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/12/15 at 4:54pm

I was doing some research and I came across the play "Face Value" which never officially opened.

Does anyone know the story behind this? Did financing fall through? Was it just outrageously bad?

And what other shows "Never Officially Opened"


Link

Updated On: 2/12/15 at 04:54 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/12/15 at 4:58pm

The following musicals closed in previews

One Night Stand
Breakfast @ Tiffany's

[Esther]

Posted: 2/12/15 at 5:06pm

Official reason was "lack of box-office interest".

Reviews for the pre-Broadway run in Boston were universally bad. Even without the internet, that stench of failure was widely known here by the time the revamped (and recast - BD Wong replaced someone whose name escapes) piece arrived.


I saw the March 13th matinee. It wasn't good. I don't think it was the worst thing ever either, but it was never going to find an audience.


I did enjoy the play it spawned in 2007, Yellow Face.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 2/12/15 at 8:25pm

THE LITTLE PRINCE AND THE AVIATOR closed during previews. Starring the decidedly unmusical Michael York, a ripe 11 year Anthony Rapp and Ellen Green right before she created the role of Audrey. It was very loosely based on the famous french childrens book "The Little Prince."

It's an interesting score though I'd hardly say a great one.

[Broadwaygirl202]

Posted: 2/12/15 at 8:58pm

There was a show called Bobbi Bowland starring Farrah Fawcett which only played a few preview performances back in 2003 I believe.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/12/15 at 9:15pm

I think the Musical Senator Joe fits in this category.

[Fantod]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 2:00am

How do you know the score to The Little Prince and the Aviator?

I for one would love to see a musical based off of The Little Prince, that kept the original's style. It could be absolutely magic.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 2:10am

"The Prince of Grand Street" starring Robert Preston with book, music and lyrics by Bob Merrill.

[Fantod]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 2:25am

Rachael Lily Rosenbloom
Truckload

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 3:11am

I'll just say there's a less-than-legitimate recording out there if you care to find it.

[Natto]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 4:55am

face value must have been awful. it had Jane Krakowski in it. And , Jane Krakowski is really good so it must have been awful for it to close with her in it.

[Junior Babcock]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 7:06am

The Little Prince and the Aviator - 1982

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 7:15am

"face value must have been awful."

It was.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:34am

Didn't carrie close after a week of previews? Or was that a week after opening?

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:41am

Glory Days sort of counts? Played for 17 previews and then closed after opening night.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:42am

If you include shows that closed out of town you have a ton more.

Start with

Pleasures and Palaces

[Fantod]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 12:36pm

Glory Days wouldn't count because it did, in fact, officially open.

There are too many closed out of town shows to try and list.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 12:41pm

Another I actually love the score of is LOLITA MY LOVE. Now that one I can listen to all day!

[Fantod]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 12:44pm

There are plenty of closed out of town scores that are wonderful. In addition to Lolita, My Love, Mata Hari, The Baker's Wife, and Colette

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 12:52pm

Senator Joe was a musical that only played 3 previews at the Neil Simon in 1989.

Adela Holzer was one of the producers.

I can't think of a show that closed in previews and played fewer than 3 performances.

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 1:16pm

"I can't think of a show that closed in previews and played fewer than 3 performances."

Infidel Caesar.

Two reference sources state two previews; IBDB states one.

[Fantod]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 1:18pm

Playbill Vault also says one preview, with the note "Infidel Caesar was "indefinitely postponed" after a single performance for an invited audience.". Must have been an awful play.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 1:23pm

"Infidel Caesar was "indefinitely postponed"

So there's still hope that they may get it together and we'll see it?

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 1:27pm

Before there was REBECCA, there was INFIDEL CAESAR!

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 4:33pm

Does "Saturday Night" by Sondheim and Epstein count? Announcement in NY Times...