'Cry-Baby' to close on June 22
Slow sales, unenthusiastic reviews to blame
More Articles:
Most Viewed:
Nine(9948 views)Spielberg abandons 'Harvey'(4685 views)Johnny Depp eyes Pancho Villa role(2571 views)Anderson working on 'Master'(2167 views)Box office incumbents stay strong(1297 views)Imprint Entertainment to remake 'Phone'(1200 views) |
Like the 2002 Tony-winning hit “Hairspray,” “Cry-Baby” is based on a John Waters pic, but this time out the Waters-inspired material never found traction at the box office or with critics.
Sales have been consistently low since the production began previews March 15. Weekly tallies never topped $350,000, with the cume hitting $3.7 million last week.
Show earned largely unenthusiastic reviews in the Gotham press after its April 24 opening. Musical was nommed for four Tonys, including top tuner, but came away with nothing after Sunday’s ceremony.
Plans are afoot for a national tour of “Cry-Baby” to hit the road in fall 2009.
“Hairspray” vets Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan wrote the “Cry-Baby” book, with tunes by Rialto newcomers David Javerbaum (“The Daily Show”) and Adam Schlesinger (of the band Fountains of Wayne). Mark Brokaw directs.
Rob Ashford picked up three legit kudos, including a Drama Desk and an Outer Critics Circle award, for his choreography. He was also nommed for a Tony.
Cast includes James Snyder (in the role played by Johnny Depp in the 1990 movie), Harriet Harris, Elizabeth Stanley and Alli Mauzey.
Musical tried out at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego last fall before making the jump to Broadway in the spring.
Legiters are now keeping their eyes on “Passing Strange” and “Xanadu,” two other Tony tuner nominees whose grosses have tended to remain on the lower end of the spectrum. For now, however, neither has immediate plans to shutter.
