Never Officially Opened

#1

Never Officially Opened

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

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

#2

Never Officially Opened

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

The following musicals closed in previews

One Night Stand
Breakfast @ Tiffany's

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#3

Never Officially Opened

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.

#4

Never Officially Opened

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.

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#5

Never Officially Opened

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.

#6

Never Officially Opened

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

I think the Musical Senator Joe fits in this category.

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#7

Never Officially Opened

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.

#8

Never Officially Opened

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

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

#9

Never Officially Opened

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

Rachael Lily Rosenbloom
Truckload

#10

Never Officially Opened

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.

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#11

Never Officially Opened

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.

#12

Never Officially Opened

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

The Little Prince and the Aviator - 1982

#13

Never Officially Opened

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

"face value must have been awful."

It was.

#14

Never Officially Opened

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

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

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#15

Never Officially Opened

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

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

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#16

Never Officially Opened

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

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#17

Never Officially Opened

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.

#18

Never Officially Opened

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!

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#19

Never Officially Opened

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

#20

Never Officially Opened

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.

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#21

Never Officially Opened

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.

#22

Never Officially Opened

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.

#23

Never Officially Opened

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?

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If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#24

Never Officially Opened

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

Before there was REBECCA, there was INFIDEL CAESAR!

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#25

Never Officially Opened

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

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