Why Did Assassins Close?

[(8) :D]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 6:14pm

I'm intrigued to know what the broadway of Assassins closed so soon. I just saw it's gross figures and it had a capacity of over 90% every single week! Its confusing :/

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 6:16pm

It was Roundabout, so I'd assume it was a limited run.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 6:32pm

It was doing fine during the subscription period, but advance sales were not good. When they didn't pick up after the Tony Awards, they decided to close they show as originally scheduled (and as a success) than to have it struggle for a few weeks and close anyway.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 6:43pm

Wasn't there a rumor that the reason it closed was because of pressure from Republicans due to the Republican National Convention in NY? Did I make that up?

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 7:11pm

My theatre company is doing Assassins with a killer cast (pun fully intended) in June. Yes, I'm threadjacking

www.5thfloorproductions.org Updated On: 4/25/11 at 07:11 PM

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 7:21pm

BroadwayChica,

I've head that too from several sources over the past 5+ years.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 9:50pm

I wouldn't jump to believe anything about "pressure from Republicans." From my understanding, it was supposed to be a typical limited Roundabout run, but after it won several major Tony Awards (including Best Revival and Best Director of a Musical), an extension of several weeks was announced. I remember well, as I had bought tickets for that extension! However, I was evidently one of the few who did, as they canceled it and closed on the originally planned end date due to low ticket sales.

Basically everyone who wanted to see the show saw it immediately, and then that was it. Its target audience (read: Sondheim fans) had all already shown up, and not enough other people were interested.

I was really bummed. I had been so excited to see it. However, the universe paid me back somewhat because I ended up doing two different productions of the show soon afterwards.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 10:16pm

I just want to add that this was before NPH was back on tv with a successful hit. Not only was this Sondheim, the cast was comprised of theatrical actors as opposed to screen actors.. I don't think NPH was the box office draw he might be now. I think the same goes for Denis O'Hare. He's certainly more recognizable today than he was back when Assassins was at Studio 54. I loved that production. I was so bitter at first that Cabaret had closed, but when I went to see it, I fell madly in love with the show, the cast, and Sondheim. Still one of my all time favorite productions.

[Overkill]

Posted: 4/26/11 at 3:32am

In a recent interview (like REALLY recent) NPH said that the show was just ahead of it's time and there was bad timing after 9/11. He said that having the word "ASSASSINS" plastered on bill boards, buses and on the subway scared people away. Not to mention, the show offended many people. The production was SO amazing. The show is amazing on it's own, but that amazing cast and direction and set just made it all the better.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 4/26/11 at 3:41am

I saw the show in late June that year and the theatre wasn't packed. I think a limited run is all this great show could expect.