Top 10 Broadway Musicals That Closed Too Soon
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Date: 2023-11-20
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Comments and reviews: 30
Andrew
Would the musical Sweet Smell of Success, based on the 1957 Alexander Mackendrick film of the same name starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and Martin Milner, count?
A film adaptation of the musical version of Sweet Smell of Success, filmed in Toronto, directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Dan Aykroyd as JJ Hunsecker and Carrie Underwood as Susan (his daughter, upgraded from his half-sister, should revive mainstream public interest in the stage musical itself. Ryan Gosling would be perfect as Sidney Falco, and Shawn Mendes would shine as Dallas Cochran, as would Fefe Dobson as Sidney's girlfriend Rita. Jack Noseworthy (who originated the role of Dallas on stage in 2002) would be brilliant as rival gossip columnist Otis Elwell, and his Colombian-Canadian husband Sergio Trujillo would take care of choreography.
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Would the musical Sweet Smell of Success, based on the 1957 Alexander Mackendrick film of the same name starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and Martin Milner, count?
A film adaptation of the musical version of Sweet Smell of Success, filmed in Toronto, directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Dan Aykroyd as JJ Hunsecker and Carrie Underwood as Susan (his daughter, upgraded from his half-sister, should revive mainstream public interest in the stage musical itself. Ryan Gosling would be perfect as Sidney Falco, and Shawn Mendes would shine as Dallas Cochran, as would Fefe Dobson as Sidney's girlfriend Rita. Jack Noseworthy (who originated the role of Dallas on stage in 2002) would be brilliant as rival gossip columnist Otis Elwell, and his Colombian-Canadian husband Sergio Trujillo would take care of choreography.
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Brendan
Its important to acknowledge the difference between these short lived shows that were non-profit runs vs commercial runs. At a non-profit like Lincoln Center Theater, these new musicals have a scheduled short run and closing early is not always relevant. Parade was produced a LCT, as was Women On the Verge. They may not have been hits in their scheduled runs, they may or may not have extended a few weeks or many months (like Light in the Piazza did, for example) but it is it not the same as having an open ended commercial run and closing. A scheduled run of 84 performances that doesnt extend is not the same kind of closure as an open-ended run that shutter after 84 (or whatever number, and its definitely not the same thing as far as the investors are concerned.
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Its important to acknowledge the difference between these short lived shows that were non-profit runs vs commercial runs. At a non-profit like Lincoln Center Theater, these new musicals have a scheduled short run and closing early is not always relevant. Parade was produced a LCT, as was Women On the Verge. They may not have been hits in their scheduled runs, they may or may not have extended a few weeks or many months (like Light in the Piazza did, for example) but it is it not the same as having an open ended commercial run and closing. A scheduled run of 84 performances that doesnt extend is not the same kind of closure as an open-ended run that shutter after 84 (or whatever number, and its definitely not the same thing as far as the investors are concerned.
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Brian
High Fidelity absolutely should have been on this list. Fantastic songs by Tom Kitt, and phenomenal job by the leads (Jenn Colella and Will Chase, the show deserved so much more than the 18 previews/13 performances it got. Saw it twice in previews in Boston (so good we indeed went back like a week later to see it again, it's my favorite version of the story (loved the John Cusack film and the Nick Hornby book it was based on, but the musical was a perfect vehicle to tell the tale)
Definitely think it was a couple of years ahead of the great films to musicals craze (at that point only really Legally Blonde was successful at it)
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High Fidelity absolutely should have been on this list. Fantastic songs by Tom Kitt, and phenomenal job by the leads (Jenn Colella and Will Chase, the show deserved so much more than the 18 previews/13 performances it got. Saw it twice in previews in Boston (so good we indeed went back like a week later to see it again, it's my favorite version of the story (loved the John Cusack film and the Nick Hornby book it was based on, but the musical was a perfect vehicle to tell the tale)
Definitely think it was a couple of years ahead of the great films to musicals craze (at that point only really Legally Blonde was successful at it)
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Mark
Broadway is a place where all manor of drek by Andrew Lloyd-Webber and juke box musicals scraped without feeling or interest from the bottom of pop music''s barrel, can run for many years, but Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along vanished in a trace. Musical theatre, at its best, is an inspiring and moving creative act of renewal that happens each night in the magic of live performance before an audience. Its fate, alas, is in the hands of philistines who bus in from New Jersey to 'take in a show and eat their considerable bodyweight in dunkin' doughnuts
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Broadway is a place where all manor of drek by Andrew Lloyd-Webber and juke box musicals scraped without feeling or interest from the bottom of pop music''s barrel, can run for many years, but Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along vanished in a trace. Musical theatre, at its best, is an inspiring and moving creative act of renewal that happens each night in the magic of live performance before an audience. Its fate, alas, is in the hands of philistines who bus in from New Jersey to 'take in a show and eat their considerable bodyweight in dunkin' doughnuts
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KLC
It seems like most of these shows lasted as long as they should've. The reason given for most of these closing is declining ticket sales. That means people didn't want to see it or saw it and didn't like it enough to see it again. Most of them aren't even underrated. They were given a fair chance and just didn't capture the public's attention. Great Comet, for example. I would only be interested in seeing Josh Groban in it. The story, while I'm sure it's well done, doesn't interest me and what's with the ridiculous title? It's not memorable at all.
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It seems like most of these shows lasted as long as they should've. The reason given for most of these closing is declining ticket sales. That means people didn't want to see it or saw it and didn't like it enough to see it again. Most of them aren't even underrated. They were given a fair chance and just didn't capture the public's attention. Great Comet, for example. I would only be interested in seeing Josh Groban in it. The story, while I'm sure it's well done, doesn't interest me and what's with the ridiculous title? It's not memorable at all.
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MAI
Stings The Last Ship had its flaws, no doubt, but I still loved it when I saw it in Chicago before its all-too-brief Broadway run. The music was beautiful sometimes achingly so and the feel of show achieves a sad and poignant rumination on loss and opportunities that have slipped away through passage of time. If the story didnt always make sense, once you were brought in by the music and the shows lyricism and poetry, you went with it. It deserved a much better fate on the Great White Way.
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Stings The Last Ship had its flaws, no doubt, but I still loved it when I saw it in Chicago before its all-too-brief Broadway run. The music was beautiful sometimes achingly so and the feel of show achieves a sad and poignant rumination on loss and opportunities that have slipped away through passage of time. If the story didnt always make sense, once you were brought in by the music and the shows lyricism and poetry, you went with it. It deserved a much better fate on the Great White Way.
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Will
Have to disagree that Amelie closed 'too soon', in my opinion the Broadway original was uninspiring and lacklustre
If anyone is a fan, I highly encourage you to listen to the London recording (with Audrey Brisson) - they fully re-orchestrated it, with a much folkier sound and atmosphere that's more reminiscent of the film. It has sadly closed on the West End, but the staging and cast were phenomenal, and in my mind is one of the best revivals ever made
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Have to disagree that Amelie closed 'too soon', in my opinion the Broadway original was uninspiring and lacklustre
If anyone is a fan, I highly encourage you to listen to the London recording (with Audrey Brisson) - they fully re-orchestrated it, with a much folkier sound and atmosphere that's more reminiscent of the film. It has sadly closed on the West End, but the staging and cast were phenomenal, and in my mind is one of the best revivals ever made
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Susan
I saw Women On the Verge (and most of the others here. Despite the stellar cast and one great Laura Benanti number, it was TERRIBLE. AWFUL. Worst show Ive ever seen, and Ive seen thousands. People were walking out in droves the day I saw it; I kept sitting there, thinking that it had to get better - but it never did. The Great Comet played in several different iterations off-Broadway, which is where it belonged, and it was great.
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I saw Women On the Verge (and most of the others here. Despite the stellar cast and one great Laura Benanti number, it was TERRIBLE. AWFUL. Worst show Ive ever seen, and Ive seen thousands. People were walking out in droves the day I saw it; I kept sitting there, thinking that it had to get better - but it never did. The Great Comet played in several different iterations off-Broadway, which is where it belonged, and it was great.
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Clay
I have seen all but three of the shows listed. I had tickets for two of those shows that closed so quickly. Most of these shows deserved to go on, but a couple -- notably the Alice musical and Beetlejuice -- were simply awful. I saw the Great Comet six times before it moved to Broadway, but I didn't love the Broadway production as much. It lost the intimacy the show had had in its off-Broadway incarnations.
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I have seen all but three of the shows listed. I had tickets for two of those shows that closed so quickly. Most of these shows deserved to go on, but a couple -- notably the Alice musical and Beetlejuice -- were simply awful. I saw the Great Comet six times before it moved to Broadway, but I didn't love the Broadway production as much. It lost the intimacy the show had had in its off-Broadway incarnations.
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Breadway
I would add Flying Over Sunset- closed after 63 performances only just this year in the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. It had a wonderfully original story that goes beyond the subject matter (LSD, lush score, wonderful cast. Idk if it was the critics or just the timing, since it closed when Omicron was rampant. Anyways, I hope it will move to another theatre or at least play in the west end.
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I would add Flying Over Sunset- closed after 63 performances only just this year in the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. It had a wonderfully original story that goes beyond the subject matter (LSD, lush score, wonderful cast. Idk if it was the critics or just the timing, since it closed when Omicron was rampant. Anyways, I hope it will move to another theatre or at least play in the west end.
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GC
One show that I think closed way too early, especially for how progressive it was, was The Prom. It had amazing music, an amazing cast, and amazing dancing! AND it told a really important story that should have stayed on Broadway for WAY longer.
I am glad it's touring tho, but that's not the same thing
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One show that I think closed way too early, especially for how progressive it was, was The Prom. It had amazing music, an amazing cast, and amazing dancing! AND it told a really important story that should have stayed on Broadway for WAY longer.
I am glad it's touring tho, but that's not the same thing
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Sean
Here's the following broadway musicals that closed too soon to me:
. Disney's The Little Mermaid
. The Spongebob Squarepants Musical
. Disney's Newsies the Musical
. The Great Comet musical
. Young Frankenstein the Musical
. Seussical the Musical
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Here's the following broadway musicals that closed too soon to me:
. Disney's The Little Mermaid
. The Spongebob Squarepants Musical
. Disney's Newsies the Musical
. The Great Comet musical
. Young Frankenstein the Musical
. Seussical the Musical
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Ido
Amelie enjoyed a nice run in London in a gorgeous actor-muso production that was scaled back, heartfelt and very well-directed. The Bridges of Madison County has beautiful music but something about it just doesn't work. I couldn't put my finger on it.
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Amelie enjoyed a nice run in London in a gorgeous actor-muso production that was scaled back, heartfelt and very well-directed. The Bridges of Madison County has beautiful music but something about it just doesn't work. I couldn't put my finger on it.
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keira
Bandstand definitely deserves a place on this list! an amazing cast, who played their instruments on stage, a moving story line, tony winning choreography and a unique and wonderful score. Can you tell i'm a little bitter it closed way too soon
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Bandstand definitely deserves a place on this list! an amazing cast, who played their instruments on stage, a moving story line, tony winning choreography and a unique and wonderful score. Can you tell i'm a little bitter it closed way too soon
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fanjoy
Not going to lie, I definitely thought that Carrie was going to be on here. The original 80's run was a total disaster, and the off-Broadway revival didn't have a very long life either. It's a very good show that deserves more attention.
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Not going to lie, I definitely thought that Carrie was going to be on here. The original 80's run was a total disaster, and the off-Broadway revival didn't have a very long life either. It's a very good show that deserves more attention.
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Karina
Bridges of Madison County.
One of the most beautiful scores in recent memory, spectacular performances. I legitimately don't understand how it failed.
The musical is also SO much better than the movie!
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Bridges of Madison County.
One of the most beautiful scores in recent memory, spectacular performances. I legitimately don't understand how it failed.
The musical is also SO much better than the movie!
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Julianna
I feel like most Frank Wildhornes musicals (Bonnie and Clyde and Wonderland being one of them) all closed early. I dont exactly know why but I hope Count of Monte Cristo gets a revival and a script rewrite.
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I feel like most Frank Wildhornes musicals (Bonnie and Clyde and Wonderland being one of them) all closed early. I dont exactly know why but I hope Count of Monte Cristo gets a revival and a script rewrite.
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Alyssa
When i heard the revival of Side Show was closing sooner than expected, my mom and I got tickets for the second last show. It is still one of my favorites Ive ever seen on broadway. Such an amazing show
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When i heard the revival of Side Show was closing sooner than expected, my mom and I got tickets for the second last show. It is still one of my favorites Ive ever seen on broadway. Such an amazing show
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Connor
Bloody, Bloody, Andrew Jackson was such an incredible and smart musical/critique that didnt find the audience it deserved when it released. Dare I say it is the best musical about American History
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Bloody, Bloody, Andrew Jackson was such an incredible and smart musical/critique that didnt find the audience it deserved when it released. Dare I say it is the best musical about American History
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Kin
Amelie on Broadway did not deserve a longer run. It deserved a different production altogether. The Broadway production did not do the material justice, the London version is superior.
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Amelie on Broadway did not deserve a longer run. It deserved a different production altogether. The Broadway production did not do the material justice, the London version is superior.
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richard
RAGS should been here also. Never understood why it didn't play longer or has never been revived. Though it had closed, I think it was nominated for several well deserved Tonys.
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RAGS should been here also. Never understood why it didn't play longer or has never been revived. Though it had closed, I think it was nominated for several well deserved Tonys.
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El
Musicals that closed too soon which u never mentioned:
Mean Girls
Frozen
West Side Story
The Little Mermaid
Newsies
Drowsy Chaperone
Anything Goes 2011 Revival
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Musicals that closed too soon which u never mentioned:
Mean Girls
Frozen
West Side Story
The Little Mermaid
Newsies
Drowsy Chaperone
Anything Goes 2011 Revival
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Thomas
We need a revival if Ragtime with Denee Benton as Sarah. Since she is playing Audra McDonalds daughter in The Gilded Age it would be perfect casting, and she could pull it off
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We need a revival if Ragtime with Denee Benton as Sarah. Since she is playing Audra McDonalds daughter in The Gilded Age it would be perfect casting, and she could pull it off
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Stuart
I think Big the Musical should be on that list. Still one of my favorite CDs. I didn't see many of the shows on this list but from the clips, I don't think i would have.
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I think Big the Musical should be on that list. Still one of my favorite CDs. I didn't see many of the shows on this list but from the clips, I don't think i would have.
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Quinn
Sondheims Merrily We Roll Along seems like it shouldve made this list. A fan favorite and popular regional and amateur choice that only had 31 performances on Broadway.
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Sondheims Merrily We Roll Along seems like it shouldve made this list. A fan favorite and popular regional and amateur choice that only had 31 performances on Broadway.
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Janine
Blasphemy! Tuck Everlasting should be higher ranked! I am in it right now. The music is fantastic. I have seen several of these in community theatre and they are great!
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Blasphemy! Tuck Everlasting should be higher ranked! I am in it right now. The music is fantastic. I have seen several of these in community theatre and they are great!
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Thomas
Part of the problem with The Wild Party was that a separate version by a different writing team and cast opened off broadway at the same time as the broadway version.
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Part of the problem with The Wild Party was that a separate version by a different writing team and cast opened off broadway at the same time as the broadway version.
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Megan
I'm sorry. people thought a Broadway musical was too depressing? So we're just gonna ignore Cabaret, Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, Next to Normal, Spring Awakening.
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I'm sorry. people thought a Broadway musical was too depressing? So we're just gonna ignore Cabaret, Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, Next to Normal, Spring Awakening.
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Abbie
I always thought that the 2016 revival of falsettos closed far too early - it's easily the best version of the show and it's a shame that it wasn't around for long.
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I always thought that the 2016 revival of falsettos closed far too early - it's easily the best version of the show and it's a shame that it wasn't around for long.
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Omar
I knew that Barrett Doss, who plays Vic on Station 19 did Theatre, but I didn't know that Okieriete Onaodowan, who played Dean Miller did theatre also too.
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I knew that Barrett Doss, who plays Vic on Station 19 did Theatre, but I didn't know that Okieriete Onaodowan, who played Dean Miller did theatre also too.
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