Normal Heart Closing 6/29 -- TONIGHT!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 5:06pm

No reason given.

VERY strange.
http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=40033&CT=38

Updated On: 6/29/04 at 05:06 PM

[thebigkrakowski]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 5:09pm

I think they just ran out of $$$$$.

[beacon1]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 5:21pm

Uhoh...

Has anyone told LuvstheEmcee?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 5:22pm

But to do it with absolutely NO notice to the public? And to close after a Tuesday night performance instead of waiting at least until the end of the week? A simple press release announcing that they were closing later in the week would have guaranteed them a couple of near sell-out nights. Then again with the 4th of July on a Sunday this year (and Monday being a holiday), maybe they anticipated most of their potential audience would be heading out of town by Friday (even Thursday) for the long weekend.

Ah, the world of not-for-profit theatre..... Just when I think I've seen it all, a Sondheim show doing 95% business announces it's closing less than a month after winning 5 Tonys, and a critically acclaimed revival of a modern "classic" rushes out a closing notice mere hours before its last performance, only weeks after announcing a two month extension (and possible plans for a Broadway move).

What's REALLY going on here?

Updated On: 6/29/04 at 05:22 PM

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 5:30pm

oh gosh, luvtheEmcee is going to be so upset...
i wanted to see this so bad as well, this abrupt closing came out of nowhere!

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 5:34pm

This is devestating. I had thought the show might transfer to Broadway on the strength of the reviews and Larry Kramer's own wishes. It was perhaps the most powerful experiences I've ever had in the theatre, and it's sad that more people won't be able to enjoy this fine production.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 5:37pm

This is the fourth production that I currently have tickets for...right now...in my hands...that I will not be able to see when I come to New York the 21st...Ah Dracula preview...Ah The Normal Heart...Ah assassins...Ah Jumpers...I knew you so briefly and loved you so well.

A sad
KC

[Ruffian]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 5:44pm

I was thinking the same thing....ASSASSINS with the early closing & now THE NORMAL HEART

I was hoping to see it again, I am devastated its closing early

I guess that means no Broadway Transfer for Kramer

[twogaab2]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 5:45pm

I just got a ticket what I guess is the final performance at the TDF times square booth. If anyone is in the NYC area you can rush there and get a ticket for 50% off. Again this is very very sad for those of us that loved this production. It is rare that a show draws such emotional devotions from it's fan base. It will be missed by a lot of people on this board.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 6:02pm

NOOOO...I was planning on seeing this.

[Broadwaybaby614]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 6:17pm

Uh...aren't they supposed to give, like, some kind of NOTICE before they go and close a show? That's pretty dumb...

[magruder]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 6:25pm

Pity, too, that it's the GOOD stuff that's closing, like Assassins, Normal Heart and Jumpers...

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 6:30pm

Why on earth wouldn't you post a closing notice!?!? Like Margo said...it would give people a chance to go back and see it...or at least try that option...what could possibly be the benefit of announcing the close on closing night...unless it was an awful awful flop...?

A sad, confused, and frustrated...

KC

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 6:52pm

Thanks for caring, guys. Emcee is currently under her bed, sulking. I saw the title of this thread as I was logging in and nearly caused myself to suffocate. I think I'm dead on my floor.

Wicked_Elphie and I had finally chosen a day, and were going to order tickets really soon.... my heart is broken. Why?????????????? *whines*

I mean, why without notice or anything? At least a closing notice could have given people a few days to go see it again. And... no. This isn't fair.

I'll shut up now, and actually go read the articles.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 6:55pm

Oh, and I have Wicked_Elphie on the phone... she's devastated as well.

[PigletH13]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 7:03pm

I am in a state of shock too since when I saw the show on Friday night, it was filled with people and everyone seemed to be truly affected by the play and performances. Also...Raul made it a point to show me and 2 other people the new logo for the show! Also...I got the new discount flyer in the mail today.

UGH!!!

[midtowngym]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 7:08pm

The Esparza Heads MUST have tomorrow as our day of mourning. Let's all wear black and get drunk

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 7:31pm

New logo? What did it look like?

Tomorrow shall be the cult's day or mourning. I was about the send you a very sad PM, midtown.

I need a hug.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 7:34pm

*HUGS to all Esparza Heads, and ESPECIALLY LuvtheEmcee*

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 7:35pm

Thank you!

*returns to a small corner in her room, crying*

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 8:11pm

I'll be interested in hearing what Raul says tonight at the curtain -- I imagine there'll be some sort of speech. If this whole thing was sprung on him without warning, he's never been one to be shy about expressing himself (as Rosie well knows) ......

I can't make sense of them pulling the plug four hours before a last Tuesday performance. Sorry, as much as I'd like to believe this is just about flat advance ticket sales, I have a nagging feeling we aren't being told the whole story about this one.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 8:15pm

I agree Margo, on both of those comments.

I'm very interested to hear what Raul and the rest of the cast will have to say tonight (someone please tell!) and I don't think we're getting the whole truth either. If the play kept extending, it had to have been doing a decent job in the ticket sales department. Something else has got to be up.


I need another hug.

Updated On: 6/29/04 at 08:15 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 8:57pm

Where are all of you (especially Ruffian - who I hope is feeling better - and midtown) in this time of need?!
You're not all off seeing the performance, are you?

[robyn525600]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 10:54pm

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO mad!!!!!!!!!! I have frnt row tickets for July 17th!!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how angry I am!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 10:58pm

AHHHH! The board went down for like two hours before, and there was no one that I could vent to. I was VERY upset!
I'm still really sad. I've been staring at the photos at The Normal Heart website for a while now, and it's breaking my heart.

Oh, hey. It's 11:00... it's officially over.