RING OF FIRE to close April 30

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=9226

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Playwrights Horizons should move Grey Gardens to the Barrymore.

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I know...I couldn't believe it myself.

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Well has advirtized "final 3 weeks" in the New York Times Sunday edition if that means anything.

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Finally!

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Wow, now there is a b-day present!

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Very well said, Margo.

I love theatre as much as the next person. We're all entitled to our opinions, but I would not say that mine was *sick*. Well was not my cup of tea, and maybe my statement was worded incorrectly. I should have said, I'm surprised it's still running due to the fact of low ticket sales.

I think an off-Broadway venue would have been more appropriate for that particular work.

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I've loved the fact that Broadway is so full...

Plus, I definitely enjoyed Ring of Fire AND Well more than the average person...

Even though I know it's completely impossible, I would love Grey Gardens to transfer to Broadway- maybe then I could finally get to see it!

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Katurian2,

"poor quality shows devoid of any artistic merit, or a select few of well-made and intellectually stimulating musicals and plays"

Speaking of the latter, Well is as well-made and intellectually stimulating as anything on Broadway right now and is one of the finest pieces of writing to appear on Broadway in many seasons. If some didn't like it or "get it," you can't please everyone. There's no such thing as a show that EVERYONE likes, but the critical consensus was it is one of smartest, cleverest and touching works to grace Broadway in some time

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=892028#2050855

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And Dottie, I don't mean to pick on you, it's just that I'm tired of hearing people casually wishing for dozens of people to be out of work and for works that dare not to be the same old predictable, safe, well-made play to close. I don't mean to single you out.

WELL probably is better suited to a smaller, more intimate theatre than the Longacre, but producer Liz McCann bypassed Off-Broadway and went for the larger venue because she believed that such a bold and innovative new American work deserved greater exposure. She's said in recent interviews that she stands by that decision and is loathe to close it because to do so is like saying that Broadway is no longer a place for challenging original plays. The fact is -- it probably isn't unless maybe a movie star is on board.

Once upon a time, there was a contingent of serious Broadway theatregoers who supported new experimental avant garde works by Beckett and Brecht and Albee and others. Those days may be passed, but brave producers like McCann are to be saluted for at least making the attempt.

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May these ridiculously talented actors have better luck with their soon-to-book new shows.

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"Why would anyone HOPE they "pull the plug" on a show?

That's sick for anyone who supposedly cares about theatre to say.

It's not as if another show could make it into that theatre by the Tony deadline. You like people being out of work? You like dark theaters (and unemployed box office personnel)? Because nothing is set to go into that theatre and it will be likely closed for many months --possibly until late Fall or even Spring. You think that's better than having a critically acclaimed show that many people enjoyed and even loved running?

Yeah. Time to celebrate.

Sick."

Here's what I think is "sick": producers who mount a lame-ass show and market it poorly, directors who demand too much from over-worked actors, and theaters who charge $100 a ticket. Yup, I'm all for pulling the plug on bad shows. There will always be new vehicles for actors -- let's get rid of the dreck and have worthwhile theater. Ring of Fire was insulting and ridiculous. Jarrod Emick and the rest of the cast will go on to better things and will be better off without the show. So will the unsuspecting theater-going public.

Get over yourself, Miss I-Care-More-About-The-Theater-Than-You-Do.

Updated On: 4/26/06 at 12:35 PM